Fewer than 3% of Oklahoma school districts holding primaries on Feb. 10

Oklahoma school board elections see fewer contested races and lower turnout

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Only 15 out of 509 school districts in Oklahoma will hold school board primaries on February 10, 2026, as most districts have uncontested races. The number of districts holding primaries and the number of candidates running have both declined since 2024. Oklahoma typically has a high rate of uncontested school board elections, with 79% of races uncontested in 2023 compared to around 64% nationally.

Why it matters

Oklahoma's school board election rules and low voter turnout raise concerns about the democratic process and community engagement at the local level. Efforts are underway to move school board elections to November when voter turnout is higher, but this proposal faces opposition from those who argue local issues get overshadowed by state and federal races.

The details

In Oklahoma, districts hold primaries if more than two candidates run for a seat. If only one candidate runs, the candidate wins the seat outright. If two candidates run, the district cancels the primary, and the candidates automatically advance to the general election. On February 10, voters in just 15 districts — 2.9% of the state's 509 districts — will decide school board elections, with 50 candidates running for 15 seats. In 10 of those races, three candidates are running for each seat, and in five races, there are four candidates apiece. Both the number of districts holding primaries and the number of candidates have fallen since 2024.

  • Oklahoma school districts hold school board primaries each February.
  • On February 10, 2026, voters in 15 districts will decide school board elections.
  • General elections in Oklahoma are scheduled for April 7, 2026.

The players

Oklahoma Senate

The Oklahoma Senate voted 33-10 to pass SB 6, which would require districts to hold primaries in August and general elections in November, when voters cast ballots for many of the state's other elected positions.

Ballotpedia

Ballotpedia is providing comprehensive coverage of Oklahoma's school board elections in 2026, including for Tulsa Public Schools, Oklahoma City Public Schools, and Edmond Public Schools, the state's three largest districts by student enrollment.

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The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges facing local democracy in Oklahoma, where school board elections often lack competition and voter engagement. The proposed shift to November elections could increase turnout, but some argue it would diminish the focus on local issues. Ultimately, finding ways to boost civic participation in school board races is crucial for ensuring responsive and accountable local governance.