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Municipal elections in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (2017)
2018 →
← 2015
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| 2017 Oklahoma City elections |
|---|
 |
| Election dates |
| Filing deadline: December 7, 2016 |
| Primary election: February 14, 2017 General election: April 4, 2017 Special election: September 12, 2017 |
| Election stats |
| Offices up: City Council |
| Total seats up: 4 |
| Election type: Nonpartisan |
| Other municipal elections |
| U.S. municipal elections, 2017 |
On September 12, 2017, Oklahoma City voters weighed in on 15 ballot measures, including a $967 million bond package, a temporary penny sales tax extension, and a permanent quarter cent sales tax. Learn more about the bond package and other issues facing Oklahoma City in 2017 by clicking here.[1]
Oklahoma City held a general election for an open city council seat in Ward 4 on April 4, 2017. Ward 4 incumbent Pete White opted not to run for re-election. None of the four contenders to replace him won a majority in the primary election on February 14, 2017, so the top two vote-getters—Richard Morrissette and Todd Stone—advanced to the April general election. Stone defeated Morrissette in the general election.[2][3][4]
Three other city council races were decided in the February primary election. Incumbents James Greiner, Larry McAtee, and John Pettis Jr. each won a majority of the primary vote in their bids for re-election in Wards 1, 3, and 7.[3]
Elections
General election
Note: Although elections in Oklahoma City are officially nonpartisan, Ballotpedia identified known partisan affiliations for informational purposes. Email editor@ballotpedia.org to notify us of additions or updates to these partisan affiliations.
Ward 4
☐ Richard Morrissette 
☑ Todd Stone 
Primary election
Note: Although elections in Oklahoma City are officially nonpartisan, Ballotpedia identified known partisan affiliations for informational purposes. Email editor@ballotpedia.org to notify us of additions or updates to these partisan affiliations.
Ward 1☑ James Greiner (i) Ward 3☑ Larry McAtee (i) |
Ward 4Incumbent Pete White did not run for re-election.[2] Ward 7☑ John Pettis Jr. (i) |
Campaign finance
The figures in the tables below are from the most recent report submitted by each candidate as of March 17, 2017. They are reproduced as presented by the candidates in their report summaries.[5]
| Oklahoma City Council Ward 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Aggregate contributions | Aggregate expenditures | Cash on hand |
| James Greiner (i) | $8,716.14 | $4,381.92 | $3,134.22 |
| Jonathan Clour | - | - | - |
| Chris Gordon | $25,695.00 | $18,031.43 | $7,663.57 |
| Oklahoma City Council Ward 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Aggregate contributions | Aggregate expenditures | Cash on hand |
| Larry McAtee (i) | $30,771.01 | $2,200 | $28,571.01 |
| Joe "Sarge" Nelson | - | - | - |
| Matthew Olsen | - | - | - |
| Oklahoma City Council Ward 4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Aggregate contributions | Aggregate expenditures | Cash on hand |
| Walter Kula | - | - | - |
| Doris Mangiaracina Benbrook | - | - | - |
| Richard Morrissette* | $52,040.00 | $39,365.96 | - |
| Todd Stone* | $20,354.22† | $8,298.31 | $11,327.69 |
| *Advanced to the general election
†Stone reported an additional $1,500 in contributions on a continuing report of contributions and $4,704.64 in independent expenditures by Catalyst Oklahoma on an electioneering communications and independent expenditures report.[6][7] | |||
| Oklahoma City Council Ward 7 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Aggregate contributions | Aggregate expenditures | Cash on hand |
| John Pettis Jr. (i) | $64,560.41* | $29,748.67 | $34,811.74 |
| T. Sheri Dickerson | - | - | - |
| Marina Mangiaracina | - | - | - |
| *Pettis reported an additional $7,287.97 in independent expenditures by Catalyst Oklahoma on an electioneering communications and independent expenditures report.[8] | |||
Ballot measures
September 12, 2017
• Oklahoma City Ordinance 25,750: Permanent Sales Tax Measure 
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of authorizing a permanent 0.25 percent (one-quarter cent) sales tax estimated to provide $26 million annually for city services. |
| A no vote was a vote against authorizing permanent 0.25 percent (one-quarter cent) sales tax estimated to provide $26 million annually for city services. |
• Oklahoma City Ordinance 25,751: Temporary Sales Tax Measure
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of a 27-month extension of the Metropolitan Area Projects (MAPS) 1 percent sales tax to fund capital improvements, including street resurfacing, streetscape, trail, sidewalk, and bicycle infrastructure projects. |
| A no vote was a vote against a 27-month extension of the MAPS 1 percent sales tax to fund capital improvements, including street resurfacing, streetscape, trail, sidewalk, and bicycle infrastructure projects. |
• Proposition 1: Oklahoma City Street Bond Issue
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing the city's debt by $491 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of streets. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the city's debt by $491 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of streets. |
• Proposition 2: Oklahoma City Bridges Bond Issue
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing the city's debt by $27 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of bridges. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the city's debt by $27 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of bridges. |
• Proposition 3: Oklahoma City Traffic Control Bond Issue
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing the city's debt by $28 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of the traffic control system. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the city's debt by $28 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of the traffic control system. |
• Proposition 4: Oklahoma City Economic and Community Development Bond Issue
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing the city's debt by $60 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund economic and community development. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the city's debt by $60 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund economic and community development. |
• Proposition 5: Oklahoma City Parks and Recreational Facilities Bond Issue
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of authorizing the city to issue $138 million in general obligation bonds—a type of local government debt—to fund the improvement of parks and recreation facilities. |
| A no vote was a vote against authorizing the city to issue $138 million in general obligation bonds—a type of local government debt—to fund the improvement of parks and recreation facilities. |
• Proposition 6: Oklahoma City Libraries Bond Issue
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing the city's debt by $24 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of libraries. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the city's debt by $24 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of libraries. |
• Proposition 7: Oklahoma City Civic Center Complex Bond Issue
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing the city's debt by $20 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of the Civic Center complex. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the city's debt by $20 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of the Civic Center complex. |
• Proposition 8: Oklahoma City Transit Bond Issue
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing the city's debt by $20 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of public transit systems. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the city's debt by $20 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of public transit systems. |
• Proposition 9: Oklahoma City City Maintenance Facilities Bond Issue
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing the city's debt by $13 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of city maintenance facilities. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the city's debt by $13 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of city maintenance facilities. |
• Proposition 10: Oklahoma City Drainage Control Bond Issue
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing the city's debt by $62 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of drainage control systems. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the city's debt by $62 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of drainage control systems. |
• Proposition 11: Oklahoma City Downtown City Arena Bond Issue
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing the city's debt by $9 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of the downtown city arena. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the city's debt by $9 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of the downtown city arena. |
• Proposition 12: Oklahoma City Police Bond Issue
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing the city's debt by $31 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of police facilities. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the city's debt by $31 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of police facilities. |
• Proposition 13: Oklahoma City Fire Bond Issue
| A yes vote was a vote in favor of increasing the city's debt by $45 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of fire department facilities. |
| A no vote was a vote against increasing the city's debt by $45 million by issuing general obligation bonds in that amount to fund the improvement of fire department facilities. |
Additional elections on the ballot
- See also: Oklahoma elections, 2017
The election for the Oklahoma City Council shared the ballot with the Oklahoma City Public Schools school board election. The general election in Ward 4 also shared the ballot with the special primary election for Oklahoma County sheriff.
Fifteen ballot measures, including a $967 million bond package, a temporary penny sales tax extension, and a permanent quarter cent sales tax were up for a vote on September 12, 2017. They shared the ballot with the special general election for Oklahoma County sheriff.
Issues
Infrastructure and the general obligation bond measure
On September 12, 2017, Oklahoma City voters decided whether to approve a $967 million bond package.[1] The Oklahoma Gazette reported that the program, which would fund critical infrastructure projects, "could be the largest proposal in the city's history and have a resounding impact on its future."[9][10]
The city council was responsible for developing the bond program that went before voters, so the councilmembers elected in 2017 helped determine which projects to include in the program, whether to increase property taxes to help fund it, and how long the program would last.[9][11]
Many of the 2017 city council candidates weighed in on the bond measure the city's infrastructure needs during the campaign. Click "show" on the box below to view their individual positions.
| Positions of 2017 city council candidates on city infrastructure | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ward 1
Ward 3
Ward 4
Ward 7
|
Declining sales tax revenue
The city councilmembers elected in 2017 also helped shape Oklahoma City's response to a decline in one of its primary sources of funding.
Oklahoma City relied on sales tax revenue for the majority of its day-to-day funding and about a third of its overall $1.2 billion budget in 2016.[22][23] However, the city saw a drop in sales tax revenue in the lead-up to the 2017 election. Collections were down 3.5 percent in January 2017 as compared to January 2016. And that continued a months-long slide; The Oklahoman reported in January 2017 that sales tax numbers in 15 of the preceding 16 months were lower than in the corresponding month of the previous year.[24]
The city responded to the sales tax shortfalls in 2016 with two rounds of midyear budget cuts: one in June and another in December. In the December 2016 meeting at which they approved the second round of cuts, many of the sitting city councilmembers also offered proposals to boost tax revenues. Attributing some of the sales tax downturn to an increase in online shopping, Councilman Ed Shadid called on city residents to shop locally. He said, "I hope that the citizens of Oklahoma City can make that connection between the loss of city services and how much everyone is shopping online."[25] Councilmen David Greenwell and Pete White suggested that the state could make a more concerted effort to ensure that residents pay taxes owed on internet purchases, and Councilman Larry McAtee referenced an ongoing effort to pass federal legislation allowing states to collect tax on all online sales. Shadid closed the discussion by recalling a previously-introduced proposal to impose a city gas tax.[25][26]
Some of the 2017 city council candidates also proposed ways to work with limited revenue or adjust funding in the city. Click "show" on the box below to view their individual proposals.
| City funding proposals | ||
|---|---|---|
| Ward | Candidate | Proposal |
| Ward 1 | Jonathan Clour | Make government leaner and more efficient, and closely analyze proposed projects[12] |
| Ward 1 | James Greiner (i) | Take a conservative approach to spending, and prioritize projects that offer the biggest bang for the city's buck[12] |
| Ward 3 | Matthew Olsen | Redirect funds from corporate subsidies to city services[13] |
| Ward 4 | Walter Kula | Partner with the state to find a more stable funding source than sales tax[14] |
| Ward 4 | Doris Mangiaracina Benbrook | Ensure that the city receives the revenue from online sales taxes paid by city residents, encourage economic development to increase the number of taxable businesses in the city and encourage suburban residents to shop in the city, increase residential development to encourage home buying in the city rather than the suburbs, diversify the city's revenue stream, and consider targeted budget cuts to nonessential government functions[16] |
| Ward 4 | Todd Stone | Develop long-term funding plans for larger city projects, and explore new ways of collecting revenue[18] |
| Ward 7 | Marina Mangiaracina | In the short-term, introduce a local income tax and corporate tax, cut the sales tax, and adjust the property tax by offering a homestead exemption or property tax circuit breaker. In the long-term, diversify the local economy.[20] |
Support for public education
Midyear state budget cuts and the rejection of a teacher pay raise plan affected public education throughout Oklahoma, including Oklahoma City, in 2016.[27] The Oklahoma City Council adopted a resolution at the end of the year unanimously affirming its support for the city's public school system. "I think we as policymakers have got to find a way to do a better job of supporting public education," Councilman Pete White said. "For us... to let public education in Oklahoma sink to the level it has sunk with regard to salaries and state funding is really a tragedy."[28]
In addition to the city councilmembers who backed the resolution, a number of other 2017 candidates for city council also counted education as a priority issue.[29][13][30][31] The 2017 election winners faced decisions about whether and how to reaffirm support for the city's school system. One option was continuing to pursue projects like the ones cited in the city council's resolution, such as the student bus pass program, the joint Oklahoma City-Oklahoma City public schools task force, and the school renovation, transportation, and construction project MAPS for Kids.[27]
Another option, proposed by Mayor Mick Cornett and city manager James Couch, was to push for more local control over school funding and more state funding for education. In an op-ed for The Oklahoman, Cornett and Couch suggested that the state could make more room in the education budget by raising taxes on tobacco products, expanding the sales tax base to include previously untaxed services, consolidating school districts, or reducing tax credits for wind energy and applying the money previously earmarked for the credits to education.[32][33]
Party composition
City council positions in Oklahoma City are officially nonpartisan, but most of the incumbents prior to the 2017 election were identified by state independent news site Red Dirt Report as members of one of the two major parties.[34]
| Oklahoma City Council, January 2017 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Officeholder | Partisan affiliation | Seat up for election in 2017 |
| Ward 4 Councilman | Pete White | Democratic |
X |
| Ward 7 Councilman | John Pettis Jr. | Democratic |
X |
| Ward 1 Councilman | James Greiner | Republican |
X |
| Ward 3 Councilman | Larry McAtee | Republican |
X |
| Ward 5 Councilman | David Greenwell | Republican |
|
| Ward 6 Councilwoman | Meg Salyer | Republican |
|
| Ward 8 Councilman | Mark Stonecipher | Republican |
|
| Mayor | Mick Cornett | Republican |
|
| Ward 2 Councilman | Ed Shadid | Independent  |
|
Republicans held six seats on the city council heading into the February election. They were guaranteed to keep control, as just two Republican members were up for election and both of GOP Councilman Greiner's challengers in Ward 1 were Republicans.[35][36]
Both of the Republican incumbents and the Democratic incumbent held their seats in the February primary election. Republican candidate Todd Stone also defeated Democratic candidate Richard Morrissette to pick up retiring Democratic Councilman White's seat in the April general election. That pickup increased the Republican majority on the council to seven.[3][4]
About the city
- See also: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Oklahoma City is the capital of the state of Oklahoma, and is the county seat of Oklahoma County. As of 2010, its population was 579,999.
City government
- See also: Council-manager government
Oklahoma City uses a council-manager system. In this form of municipal government, an elected city council, which includes the mayor and serves as the city's primary legislative body, appoints an executive called a city manager to oversee the city's day-to-day operations.[37]
Demographics
The following table displays demographic data provided by the United States Census Bureau.
| Demographic Data for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | ||
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | |
| Population | 579,999 | 3,751,351 |
| Land area (sq mi) | 606 | 68,596 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White | 67.7% | 72.3% |
| Black/African American | 14.3% | 7.3% |
| Asian | 4.5% | 2.2% |
| Native American | 2.9% | 7.6% |
| Pacific Islander | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Other (single race) | 4.1% | 2.7% |
| Multiple | 6.3% | 7.7% |
| Hispanic/Latino | 19.7% | 10.6% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate | 86.4% | 88% |
| College graduation rate | 30.7% | 25.5% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income | $55,557 | $52,919 |
| Persons below poverty level | 16.1% | 15.7% |
| Source: population provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "Decennial Census" (2010). Other figures provided by U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2014-2019). | ||
| **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Oklahoma City Oklahoma election. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
See also
| Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | Oklahoma | Municipal government | Other local coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 City of Oklahoma City, "Oklahoma City Bond Program 2017," accessed February 1, 2017
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Oklahoman, "Ward 4 Oklahoma City Councilman Pete White to Retire," November 25, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Oklahoma State Election Board, "Unofficial Results," February 14, 2017
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Oklahoma State Election Board, "Unofficial Results," accessed April 4, 2017
- ↑ The City of Oklahoma City, "Ethics Reports - Campaign Contribution Reports," accessed March 17, 2017
- ↑ City of Oklahoma City, "Candidate Committee Continuing Report of Contributions," February 6, 2017
- ↑ City of Oklahoma City, "Electioneering Communications and Independent Expenditures Report," February 7, 2017
- ↑ City of Oklahoma City, "Electioneering Communications and Independent Expenditures Report," February 9, 2017
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Oklahoma Gazette, "City Council Begins Planning OKC's Next General Obligation Bonds," December 23, 2016
- ↑ The City of Oklahoma City, "What Are Bonds?" accessed February 1, 2017
- ↑ The City of Oklahoma City, "2017 Bond Election," accessed January 20, 2017
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 Oklahoma Gazette, "Ward 1 Candidates Prepare for Feb. 14's Oklahoma City Council Election," January 18, 2017
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Ballotpedia's municipal government candidate survey, 2017, "Matthew Olsen's Responses," February 7, 2017
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Ballotpedia's municipal government candidate survey, 2017, "Walter Kula's Responses," February 5, 2017
- ↑ Red Dirt Report, "Retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Seeks Ward 4 Council Seat," December 23, 2016
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 Ballotpedia's municipal government candidate survey, 2017, "Doris Mangiaracina Benbrook's Responses," February 5, 2017
- ↑ Facebook, "Richard Morrissette on November 30, 2016
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Oklahoma Gazette, "Election Preview: Four Candidates Vie for Ward 4 City Council Seat," February 1, 2017
- ↑ The Oklahoman, "Todd Stone to Seek Ward 4 Oklahoma City Council Seat," November 30, 2016
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 Ballotpedia's municipal government candidate survey, 2017, "Marina Mangiaracina's Responses," February 4, 2017
- ↑ Oklahoma Gazette, "Two Candidates and an Incumbent Run for the Ward 7 Seat on the Oklahoma City Council," January 26, 2017
- ↑ The Oklahoman, "Sales Tax Decline Continues in Oklahoma City," December 9, 2016
- ↑ The Oklahoman, "OKC Budget Cuts Hit Police, Fire Departments," December 6, 2016
- ↑ The Oklahoman, "Cornett Delivers State of the City Speech," January 11, 2017
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 YouTube, "Oklahoma City City Council - Tuesday, December 6, 2016 - Part 1 of 2," December 6, 2016
- ↑ KGOU, "Oklahoma City Council Approves Second Round of Mid-Year Budget Cuts," December 5, 2016
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Tulsa World, "Education Expected to Remain Major Topic for Oklahoma in 2017," January 2, 2017
- ↑ The Oklahoman, "Public Schools Are Key to Quality of Life, Oklahoma City Council Says," December 27, 2016
- ↑ Chris Gordon - OKC City Council Ward 1, "Issues I Care About," accessed January 3, 2017
- ↑ Doris Mangiaracina Benbrook for City Council Ward 4, "Education," accessed January 20, 2017
- ↑ Marina Mangiaracina for Oklahoma City Council Ward 7, "Education," accessed January 20, 2017
- ↑ The Oklahoman, "Mayor, City Manager: Help OKC Schools by Speaking Up, Taking Action," December 16, 2016
- ↑ The Journal Record, "O'Connor: Funding Education Critical to Economic Development," January 3, 2017
- ↑ Red Dirt Report, "OKC City Council Rejects Indigenous Peoples' Day Once Again, 5-4," October 13, 2015
- ↑ The Oklahoman, "On the Ballot: Oklahoma State House District 43," June 20, 2014
- ↑ Ballotpedia staff, "Email correspondence with Chris Gordon," January 24, 2017
- ↑ Oklahoma City, "Mayor and Council," accessed September 2, 2014
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