Tulsa County voters head to the polls Aug. 25, with a packed ballot that includes six contested City Council seats, two state questions, statewide party runoffs and a citywide vote on a natural gas franchise fee increase.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can find their precinct at okvoterportal.okelections.gov. A valid, unexpired photo ID issued by the U.S. government, the State of Oklahoma or a federally recognized tribal government is required. The expiration date must fall after Election Day.

Turnout is up. Tulsa County set an all-time August early voting record with 4,132 ballots cast over the three-day period ending Saturday, Aug. 22, according to the Tulsa Flyer. The previous August high was 3,621 in 2018.

City Council races

Six of nine Tulsa council seats are contested. Incumbents Laura Bellis (District 4), Christian Bengel (District 6) and Phil Lakin Jr. (District 8) won reelection unopposed.

• District 1: Incumbent Vanessa Hall-Harper, who has held the north Tulsa seat since 2016, faces four challengers: Thomas Moore, Corinice Wilson, Reggie Williams Jr. and Mareo Johnson. Hall-Harper told The Black Wall Street Times on Aug. 20, "People can debate my personality. They can debate my approach. But they cannot erase my record."
• District 2: Incumbent Anthony Archie faces Aaron Bisogno in a rematch of 2024, which Archie won by more than 1,000 votes.
• District 3: Incumbent Jackie Dutton, first elected in 2024, faces Tanisha Bowen.
• District 5: Incumbent Karen Gilbert faces Adam Burnett, a partner at Frasier, Frasier & Hickman endorsed by the Democratic Party.
• District 7: Incumbent Lori Decter Wright, first elected in 2018, faces Dave Perry and Kenny Wogoman.
• District 9: An open seat after Carol Bush chose not to seek reelection. Pete Regan, a TCC regent and attorney; Shawn Tiemann, a radio sportscaster; and Ben Johnson, a 911 dispatcher, are running.

In races with more than two candidates, a winner must clear 50%. If no one does, the top two advance to a Nov. 3 runoff.

ONG franchise fee

All Tulsa voters, regardless of council district, will vote on Ordinance No. 25782. A "yes" vote renews Oklahoma Natural Gas Company's 20-year franchise to use city rights-of-way and raises the franchise fee from 3.1% to 4% of gross receipts. The increase would generate roughly $1.4 million in additional annual revenue earmarked for sidewalks, street lighting and median maintenance, as we reported Aug. 23. Tulsa's franchise relationship with ONG dates to 1903; voters last approved a renewal in 2011 with 75% support.

State questions

State Question 844 would give the Legislature authority to reset reimbursements to local governments, including school districts, under a manufacturing tax incentive program. School advocates warn reductions would strain education funding; supporters say the program has grown too expensive due to data center and wind farm incentives.

State Question 846 would enshrine voter ID requirements in the Oklahoma Constitution. Voter ID is already state law. Opponents say the measure's wording could expand legislative power to restrict acceptable forms of identification in the future.

All registered voters may vote on both state questions regardless of party.

Statewide runoffs

Only registered Republicans may vote in the GOP runoffs. The marquee race is for governor: Attorney General Gentner Drummond versus former state Sen. Mike Mazzei. Drummond edged Mazzei 26.25% to 25.97% in the nine-candidate June 16 primary, according to AP reporting. Mazzei carries a Trump endorsement. The winner faces Democratic state House Minority Leader Cyndi Munson in November.

Other Republican runoffs: State Superintendent (Robert Franklin vs. James Taylor), Insurance Commissioner (Bob Sullivan vs. Marty Quinn), Labor Commissioner (John Pfeiffer vs. Kevin West) and State Senate District 34 (incumbent Dana Prieto vs. Aaron Forst).

Registered Democrats vote in the U.S. Senate runoff between Jim Priest and N'Kiyla Jasmine Thomas. Thomas led the June 16 primary with about 45% of the vote. The winner faces Republican U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern in November.

Independent voters may not participate in either party's runoff but can vote on both state questions and, if they live in Tulsa, the council races and ONG franchise measure.

Results will be posted by the Oklahoma State Election Board. Polls close at 7 p.m.