This is what your ballots will look like on Tuesday, June 16, for Oklahoma’s Primary Election
If you or someone you love hasn’t seen a ballot in a while (since Oklahoma ranks last in the country in voter turnout), here is a cheat sheet with just a few weeks left to get informed.
Most of our local news sources have by now published their election guides online. They are now working to report on each person on the ballot. I attached what the ballots will look like for Republicans and Democrats, but you can get your own ballot – exactly what you will see in the voting booth – by putting your name and birthdate into the Oklahoma Voter Portal. It will also remind you where you will vote (those locations always have a tendency to change).
Here are links to all the election guides from local news sources in one place:
Oklahoma Voice: The staff offers two guides, one that is office specific and the other with story coverage.
KOSU: All of their coverage in one place.
The Oklahoman: Links to coverage and answers to FAQs.
Tulsa World: Reporters Randy Krehbiel, Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton and Steve Metzer offer insights on each candidate.
Tulsa Flyer: Coverage from multiple sources plus the form to get an absentee ballot.
NonDoc: The most in-depth of any news source so far with stories.
If you want to see these candidates in action, go to these events
NonDoc is hosting a number of debates with candidates. Here are the details.
The Tulsa Press Club, University of Tulsa and Oklahoma Watch will have forums with candidates running for governor and state superintendent June 2 and June 4.
Speaking of elections, Tulsa World Reporter Kevin Canfield writes “The Tulsa County Election Board secretary said this week that the election board has approximately 1,100 poll workers but needs 200 more.”
To sign up, go to Tulsacounty.org and click “Find Election Information” and then “Poll Workers.”
Tulsa’s population grew by just 27 in a year. Its suburbs grew by 5,064.
The latest Census report that looks at the numbers comparing 2024 to 2025 shows that Tulsa isn’t following a trend common to other cities its size. Tulsa World Reporter Curtis Killman with the story. The town with the highest population growth? It’s the one with a new $100-million casino.
A school district in Kentucky has made Meta, TikTok, Snap and Google pay up
The tech companies have settled the first lawsuit of many brought by hundreds of school districts across the country. They want compensation for costs they say they incurred dealing with harms to children’s mental health from social media addiction.
How one CEO decided which employee to replace with AI
Matthew Prince says that he’s not found another example in U.S. business history of a public company growing at more than 30% that laid off more than 20% of its workforce. That’s what he did recently at Cloudflare, a global cloud network and cybersecurity platform that says it powers 42% of the Fortune 500. He explains in this Wall Street Journal op-ed which group he picked when it came to the builders, sellers and measurers in his business.
The ‘World’s Highest-Paid Athletes’ includes one Oklahoman and a former Oklahoman
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander ranked 24th. Kevin Durant is only the eighth athlete to cross the $1 billion career earnings threshold while still active in his sport.
Some good news
Amanda Hundley, a pre-K and kindergarten multiage teacher at Broken Arrow Public Schools’ Aspen Creek Early Childhood Center, is the 2026 recipient of the Medal for Excellence in Elementary Teaching, given by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. “Amanda brings out the best in her students and reminds everyone around her, parents and colleagues alike, why great teachers matter so deeply,” a parent of one of Hundley’s students said.
Notable numbers
44
The age of the median home in America, according to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. That’s a new record.
1
The number of states that have banned prediction markets, which allow users to place bets on future events. The Trump administration sued Minnesota right after the law was passed. “Prediction markets are designed to be addictive and prey especially on young people and low-income folks,” said Keith Ellison, the attorney general of Minnesota.
3rd
Where Oklahoma ranks nationally in the veteran suicide rate, the Tulsa Flyer’s Ginnie Graham reports.
5 of the top 8
The number of the fastest growing cities in America that are in Texas. Georgetown, Texas, just north of Austin, is the fastest.
Add to your vocab list
Property guardianship: I’d never heard of it, but the idea is people pay a fee to live in an otherwise vacant building for less than market rate rent. It’s happening in London, where housing costs are high. This New York Times story talked to those living in vacant pubs, hotels, offices and police stations.
Quotable quote
“The pursuit of greater profits cannot justify choices that systematically sacrifice jobs.”
– Pope Leo XIV in an open letter of about 42,300 words to “all people of good will” about technology.
Crazy idea that you might like
A “vote to end meeting” button on Microsoft Teams that will end a meeting if more than 50% of the people on the call press it anonymously.
Why I focus on passion and purpose by Nancy Moore
I want women to believe in themselves and boldly chase what sets their souls on fire. I believe their passions are connected to their God-given gifts and talents that many times are buried or dismissed due to fear of failure. It’s never too late to pursue what you’re passionate about!
And purpose … women ponder their calling/purpose and worry that they’re going to miss it. The exciting news is that purpose can be found in the everyday moments of life: in serving others, building something meaningful, raising a family, starting a business, creating beauty, encouraging someone, or finally saying yes to the dream that won’t leave your heart.
My mission is to encourage women in creating lives that they are passionate about and identifying ways to seek purpose. Surround yourself with incredible women who are dreamers and doers and see how far you can grow!
Nancy Moore is an entrepreneur, host of the Sharing Passion and Purpose podcast and a community builder in Tulsa. Follow her on Instagram.
If you want to give me the why behind something you do, email me at jc@jasoncollington.com. I love this series so far. Thank you to those who have contributed.
This weekend: A ‘Guinness World Record’ in Tulsa?
The 100th anniversary of the opening of Route 66 is being celebrated along 11th Street this Saturday in an attempt to break the world record for largest classic car parade. Check out all the details.
You have seen Rhys Martin and Ken Busby all over media both local and nationally in their work to promote Route 66.
Martin was named Tulsan of the Year by Tulsa People Magazine in this great profile.
Busby, a 2026 inductee into the Tulsa Hall of Fame, goes in-depth on everything that’s happening related with Route 66 during this interview with the Sam Jones.
Recommendations: A couple favorites on the Mother Road
If you aren’t sure where to go after the parade drives through, here are a couple of our favorites:
- Mother Road Market: Tulsa’s iconic food hall.
- Big Baby Rolls & Donuts: If you give them a photo they will put it on a donut that tastes amazing. Also offers gluten-free menu (you’d never guess).
- Red Light Chicken: A local shop offering chicken fingers and rolls that make you laugh at the competition.
- Tacos Don Francisco: Best authentic street tacos in an old McDonald’s location.
- Forty Year Vintage: “All Things Cool From the 1950s thru the 1990s.”
- Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on 66: A gift shop celebrating the magic of the Mother Road but also offering so much to look at (and take a photo with) including Buck (below), Mack and Stella. The home base for Mary Beth Babcock, who has been featured in almost every Route 66 story on the planet (as she should be).
Thank you for continuing to forward the email newsletter and sharing these stories in this movement toward truth and understanding in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There is no cavalry. It’s up to us.
All together now. jc
P.S. Last chance to sign up if you need some more time in your schedule. I have done all the homework and experimented on what might help you get some more time back. I am speaking during an LT Elevate event Thursday, May 28, called “Create a 13th month while saving time and maximizing effort.” When you save time, you create margin to think clearly, do deep work and achieve sanity. I’ve got 3 simple systems that make it clear how to reverse a clock counting down. Free for Leadership Tulsa members and just $35 for nonmembers. Register here.
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