Election procedure.
Tulsa City Charter, art. VI, § 2.2
in effectSection 2.2. - Election procedure.
In the calendar year 2018, and in each year thereafter in which an elected officer's term expires, a general election shall be held in August on the day specified by the laws of Oklahoma, at which time the qualified electors of the city shall fill the the offices of those whose terms expire. Only qualified electors residing in an election district may vote in the election for candidates for the office of Councilor for such election district. All qualified electors residing in the city may vote in the election for candidates for a city-wide office such as Mayor or City Auditor. If a candidate for office is unopposed at the election or becomes unopposed by death, disqualification or withdrawal, such candidate shall be deemed elected. If a candidate for an office receives more than fifty percent (50%) of all votes cast for that office at the election, such candidate shall be deemed elected. If more than two (2) candidates file for an office and no candidate receives more than fifty percent (50%) of all votes cast at the election for that office, the names of the several candidates for the office receiving the greatest number of votes totaling fifty percent (50%) at such elections shall be placed on the ballot at a run-off election in November, on the day specified by the laws of Oklahoma, and the candidate receiving the greatest number of votes cast at said run-off election shall be deemed elected. In the event of a tied vote among the said candidates, the election shall be decided by lot.
NOTE: This section was amended to read as above by an amendment voted November 14, 2017, and approved by the Governor on February 21, 2018. There were 8,179 votes in favor of the amendment and 2,246 votes against the amendment. The title to this amendment read:
Shall the City Charter of the City of Tulsa, Article VI, "Election and Qualification of Officers", be amended to hold elections for city offices in August of an election year, require candidates for city offices to file their candidacy in June, and provide for run-off elections, whenever necessary, in November?
Prior to this amendment, this section read as follows:
Section 2.2. Primary elections.
In the calendar year of the adoption of this amendment of the Charter, and in each year thereafter in which an elected officer's term expires, a primary election shall be held on the day specified by the laws of Oklahoma, at which time the qualified electors of the city shall nominate candidates for the office of those whose terms expire. Only qualified electors residing in an election district may vote in the primary election for candidates for the office of Councilor for such election district. All qualified electors residing in the city may vote in the primary election for candidates for a city-wide office such as Mayor or City Auditor. If a candidate for office is unopposed at the primary election or becomes unopposed by death, disqualification or withdrawal, such candidate shall be deemed elected. If a candidate for an office receives more than fifty percent (50%) of all votes cast for that office at the primary election, such candidate shall be deemed elected. If only two (2) candidates file for an office, there shall be no primary election, and the names of the two (2) candidates shall be placed on the ballot at the general election. If more than two (2) candidates file for an office and no candidate receives more than fifty percent (50%) of all votes cast at the primary election for that office, the two (2) candidates for each office receiving the greatest number of votes at such primary elections shall be deemed nominated and placed on the ballot at the general election, unless the number of votes for such two (2) candidates does not exceed fifty percent (50%) of all votes cast for that office; in that event the several candidates receiving the greatest number of votes and for whom the votes cast at the primary election total at least fifty percent (50%) of all votes cast for that office shall participate in a run-off primary election in which the two (2) candidates for each office receiving the greatest number of votes at such run-off primary election shall be deemed nominated and placed on the ballot at the general election.
NOTE: This Section was amended to read as above by an amendment voted June 26, 2012, and approved by the Governor on October 22, 2012. There were 27,134 votes in favor of the amendment and 4,558 votes against the amendment. The title to the amendment read:
Shall the Charter of the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma, be amended to conform the schedule for the City's primary elections and the filing of declarations of candidacy to the requirements of state law, and to make the amendment effective in the year adopted?
Prior to this amendment, this section read as follows:
Section 2.2. Primary elections.
In the calendar year following the adoption of this amendment of the Charter, and in September each year thereafter in which an elected officer's term expires, a primary election shall be held on the day specified by the laws of Oklahoma, at which time the qualified electors of the City shall nominate candidates for the office of those whose terms expire. Only qualified electors residing in an election district may vote in the primary election for candidates for the office of Councilor for such election district. All qualified electors residing in the City may vote in the primary election for candidates for a City-wide office such as Mayor or City Auditor. If a candidate for office is unopposed at the primary election or becomes unopposed by death, disqualification or withdrawal, such candidate shall be deemed elected. If a candidate for an office receives more than fifty percent (50%) of all votes cast for that office at the primary election, such candidate shall be deemed elected. If only two (2) candidates file for an office, there shall be no primary election, and the names of the two (2) candidates shall be placed on the ballot at the general election. If more than two (2) candidates file for an office and no candidate receives more than fifty percent (50%) of all votes cast at the primary election for that office, the two (2) candidates for each office receiving the greatest number of votes at such primary elections shall be deemed nominated and placed on the ballot at the general election, unless the number of votes for such two (2) candidates does not exceed fifty percent (50%) of all votes cast for that office; in that event the several candidates receiving the greatest number of votes and for whom the votes cast at the primary election total at least fifty percent (50%) of all votes cast for that office shall participate in a run-off primary election in which the two (2) candidates for each office receiving the greatest number of votes at such run-off primary election shall be deemed nominated and placed on the ballot at the general election.
NOTE: This Section was amended to read as above by an amendment voted November 8, 2011, and approved by the Governor on February 21, 2012. There were 18,772 votes in favor of the amendment and 13,491 votes against the amendment. The title to the amendment read:
Shall the Charter of the City of Tulsa, Oklahoma, be amended to provide for the non-partisan election of City Officers?"
Section 2. Primary elections.
In September in odd-numbered years and in August in even-numbered years in each year in which an elected officer's term expires, a primary election shall be held on the day specified by the laws of Oklahoma, at which time the several political parties shall nominate candidates for the office of those whose terms expire. Only qualified electors residing in an election district may vote in the primary election of their political party for candidates for the office of Councilor for such election district. All qualified electors residing in the City may vote in the primary election of their political party for candidates for the office of Mayor and City Auditor. The candidate for each office receiving the greatest number of votes at such primary election shall be deemed nominated.
NOTE: This Section was amended to read as above by an amendment voted November 2, 2010, and approved by the Governor on March 18, 2011. There were 56,782 votes in favor of the amendment and 43,087 against the amendment. The title to this amendment read:
Shall the existing Charter of the City of Tulsa, as heretofore amended, be further amended to provide for Primary Elections in the City of Tulsa to be held in September in odd-numbered years and in August in even-numbered years, on the dates provided by Oklahoma Law for County Election Boards to conduct elections, in each year in which an elected officer's term expires?
Prior to this amendment, this Section read as follows:
Section 2. Primary elections.
In September in the year 2011, and in September each year thereafter in which on elected officer's term expires, a primary election shall be held on the day specified by the laws of Oklahoma, at which time the several political parties shall nominate candidates for the office of those whose terms expire. Only qualified electors residing in an election district may vote in the primary election of their political party for candidates for the office of Councilor for such election district. All qualified electors residing in the City may vote in the primary election of their political party for candidates for the office of Mayor and City Auditor. The candidate for each office receiving the greatest number of votes at such primary elections shall be deemed nominated.
NOTE: This Section was amended to read as above by an amendment voted November 10, 2009, and approved by the Governor on January 5, 2010. There were 35,719 votes in favor of the amendment and 28,607 votes against the amendment. The title to this amendment read:
Shall the Charter of the City of Tulsa be amended to provide that City Councilors will serve for three-year terms, which shall be staggered so that no more than three council districts will have an election in any one year?
Prior to this amendment, this Section read as follows:
Section 2. Primary elections.
In September in the year 2009, and in September every year thereafter in which an elected officer's term expires, a primary election shall be held on the day specified by the laws of Oklahoma, at which time the several political parties shall nominate candidates for the office of those whose terms expire. Only qualified electors residing in an election district may vote in the primary election of their political party for candidates for the office of Councilor for such election district. All qualified electors residing in the City may vote in the primary election of their political party for candidates for the office of Mayor and City Auditor. The candidate for each office receiving the greatest number of votes at such primary election shall be deemed nominated.
NOTE: This Section was amended to read as above by an amendment voted April 1, 2008, and approved by the Governor on May 1, 2008. There were 10,142 votes in favor of the amendment and 2,843 votes against the amendment. The title to this amendment read:
Shall the Charter of the City of Tulsa be amended to provide for fall elections in years where an elected officer's term expires by establishing that the declaration of candidacy will be filed starting the second Monday through the next succeeding Wednesday in July 2009 and during the same period every year thereafter that an elected official's term expires; for primary elections to be held in September 2009 on the date established by state law, and every year thereafter that an elected official's term expires; and for general elections to be held in November 2009 on the date established by state law, and every year thereafter that an elected official's term expires?
Prior to this amendment, this Section read as follows:
Section 2. Primary elections.
In February in the year 2008 and in February each two (2) years thereafter on the day specified by the laws of Oklahoma, there shall be held in the City a primary election at which time the several political parties shall nominate candidates to fill the office of those whose terms expired. Only qualified electors of an election district may vote in the primary election of their political party for candidates for the office of Councilor for that election district. All qualified electors residing in the City may vote in the primary election of their political party for candidates for the office of Mayor and City Auditor. The candidate for each office receiving the greatest number of votes at such primary election shall be deemed nominated.
NOTE: This Section was amended to read as above by an amendment voted April 1, 2008, and approved by the Governor on May 1, 2008. There were 9,710 votes in favor of the amendment and 3,355 votes against the amendment. The title to this amendment read:
Shall the Charter of the City of Tulsa be amended to provide that a qualified elector of an election district, as determined by Oklahoma law and the rules of the State Election Board, will still be eligible to vote in an election district if the qualified elector's change in residence is within the period of time which would prevent valid registration in their new election district prior to the current election?
Prior to this amendment, this Section read as follows:
Section 2. Primary elections.
In February in the year 2008 and in February each two (2) years thereafter on the day specified by the laws of Oklahoma, there shall be held in the City a primary election at which time the several political parties shall nominate candidates to fill the office of those whose terms expire. Only qualified electors residing in an election district may vote in the primary election of their political party for candidates for the office of Councilor for such election district. All qualified electors residing in the City may vote in the primary election of their political party for candidates for the office of Mayor and City Auditor. The candidate for each office receiving the greatest number of votes at such primary election shall be deemed nominated.
NOTE: This Section was amended to read as above by an amendment voted April 4, 2006, and approved by the Governor on June 6, 2006. There were 61,443 votes in favor of the amendment and 10,778 votes against the amendment. The title to this amendment read:
Shall the charter of the City of Tulsa be amended to establish election dates and terms of office to correspond with state law providing for the conduct of elections by county election boards?
Prior to this amendment, this Section read as follows:
Section 2. Primary elections.
On the first Tuesday in February in the year 1990, there shall be held in the City a primary election at which time the several political parties shall nominate candidates for the offices of Mayor, City Auditor, and Councilor; thereafter, a primary election for election of candidates to fill the office of those whose terms expire shall be held each two (2) years on the first Tuesday in February. Only qualified electors residing in an election district may vote in the primary election of their political party for candidates for the office of Councilor for such election district. All qualified electors residing in the City may vote in the primary election of their political party for candidates for the office of Mayor and City Auditor. The candidate for each office receiving the greatest number of votes at such primary election shall be deemed nominated.
Source: City of Tulsa, Revised Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ok/tulsa/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_1989AMCH_ARTVIELQUOF_S2.2ELPRFetched: 10/28/2026