Oklahoma state legislative special elections, 2016
One seat was vacated in the Oklahoma State Legislature in 2016. The seat in state Senate District 34 was filled through a special election.
Vacancy filled
- State Senate District 34: The seat was vacant following Rick Brinkley's (R) resignation on August 20, 2015.[1]
Breakdown of 2016 special elections
Across the country in 2016, special elections for state legislative positions were held for a variety of reasons:
- 23 were due to appointment, election, or the seeking of election to another position
- 11 were due to a retirement
- 11 were due to the incumbent accepting another job
- 12 were due to a death
- 4 were due to a conviction
- 3 were due to filling a remaining term
- 1 was due to an expulsion
The partisan breakdown for vacancies were as follows:
- 37 Democratic seats
- 28 Republican seats
Partisan Change from Special Elections | |||
---|---|---|---|
Party | As of Vacancy | After Special Election | |
Democratic Party | 37 | 39 | |
Republican Party | 28 | 24 | |
Independent | 0 | 2 | |
Total | 65 | 65 |
Note: The table above reflected information for elections that were held—not total vacant seats.
How vacancies are filled
If there is a vacancy in the Oklahoma State Legislature, the governor must call a special election no later than 30 days after the vacancy occurs. No special election can be called if the vacancy occurs in an even-numbered year and if the term of office will expire in that year. This second provision allows special elections to be held for outgoing senators with two or more years left in their terms.[2]
If a senator announces his or her resignation before March 1 but the effective date lies between the general election and the new session, a special election can be held on the general election dates. The winner of this election will take office upon the senator's official resignation. This only applies to senators with two or more years remaining in their terms.[2]
See sources: Oklahoma Stat. Ann. tit. 26, § 12-106
Special elections
January 12, 2016
☑ Oklahoma State Senate District 34 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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A special election for the position of Oklahoma State Senate District 34 was called for January 12, 2016. A primary election took place on November 10, 2015. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was September 2, 2015.[3] The seat was vacant following Rick Brinkley's (R) resignation on August 20, 2015. He resigned before admitting in federal court that he stole $1.8 million from the Better Business Bureau.[1] J.J. Dossett defeated Lisa Franklin in the Democratic primary, while David McLain defeated Mark Williams, John Feary and Chuck Daugherty in the Republican primary. Greg Douglass withdrew from the race before the Republican primary.[4] Dossett defeated McLain in the special election.[5][6]
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See also
- State legislative special elections, 2016
- Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2014
- Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2014
- Oklahoma State Senate elections, 2012
- Oklahoma House of Representatives elections, 2012
- Oklahoma State Legislature
- Oklahoma state legislative special elections: 2015, 2012, 2011
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 koco.com, "Oklahoma state senator pleads guilty to wire fraud, tax evasion; resigns position," accessed August 20, 2015
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Justia US Law, "2014 Oklahoma Statutes Title 26. Elections §26-12-106. Vacancies in the Legislature," accessed February 3, 2023 (Statute 26-12-106(A), Oklahoma Statutes)
- ↑ theadanews.com, "Oklahoma governor sets special election to replace senator," accessed August 12, 2015
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Oklahoma State Election Board, "Candidates for State Senator District 34 Special Election," accessed September 3, 2015
- ↑ Oklahoma State Election Board, "Special Legislative Races Special Election — November 10, 2015," accessed November 11, 2015
- ↑ Oklahoma State Election Board, "Special Legislative Races Special Election — January 12, 2016," accessed January 13, 2016