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  "description": "In most of these local races, whoever wins June 16 wins the seat outright",
  "path": "/early-voting-starts-today-your-guide-to-local-primary-races/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-06-11T12:00:43.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.thestillwegian.news",
  "tags": [
    "okvoterportal.okelections.gov",
    "https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/#district-1",
    "Visit The Color Bar",
    "https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/#district-3",
    "https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/#senate-20",
    "Applications Due June 17",
    "https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/#house-33",
    "https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/#house-35",
    "Rattle our Tip Jar"
  ],
  "textContent": "## 🗳 Early voting is underway\n\nEarly voting for the June 16 primary runs Thursday and Friday, June 11-12, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, June 13, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., at two locations:\n\n  * **Payne County Expo Center** — 4518 Expo Circle E, Stillwater\n  * **Cushing Chamber of Commerce** — 1301 E. Main St., Cushing\n\n\n\nOn Election Day, Tuesday, June 16, polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Not sure where you vote? Check your polling place at okvoterportal.okelections.gov.\n\n### A note on your ballot\n\nThe summaries below cover the contested **local races** in our coverage area — county commissioner, state Senate and state House. Depending on where you live, your June 16 ballot will also include other contests, such as statewide, congressional and state question races. You can preview your full sample ballot at okvoterportal.okelections.gov.\n\n* * *\n\n## Payne County Commissioner, District 1\n\n**District 1 commissioner: A three-way Republican primary decides the seat**\n\nThree Republicans are running for the eastern Payne County commissioner's seat, and with no Democrat or independent filed, the June 16 primary settles it outright.\n\n**Who's running:** Incumbent and board chairman Zachary Cavett faces two challengers.\n\n  * Cavett, in office since 2012, is challenged by Ray Harper, a retired tradesman, and Jacob Presuhn, who works on the District 3 road crew.\n\n\n\n**Why it matters:** County commissioners do far more than roads and bridges.\n\n  * The board also sets county policy, manages personnel and oversees budgets across every county office.\n\n\n\n**On the Election Desk:** Two of the three are on the record.\n\n  * Cavett and Presuhn answered our questionnaire and have reader endorsement letters posted; Harper has not responded.\n\n\n\n**The bottom line:** With no November contest, District 1 voters effectively choose their next commissioner on June 16.\n\nMeet the candidates and read their questionnaire responses → https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/#district-1\n\nAdvertisement\n\n****Exterior paint protects**** your home's wood, trim, and siding from Oklahoma's extremes. Spring — before temps climb — is the ideal window to roll on a fresh coat. Paint adheres better in moderate temps, and the results last longer. Stillwater Building Center carries premium exterior paints and stains for every surface. 📞 ****405-372-5959****\n\n\n                            Visit The Color Bar\n                        \n\n## Payne County Commissioner, District 3\n\n**District 3 commissioner: Markum faces a challenge from her former second-in-command**\n\nIncumbent Rhonda Markum faces challenger Clayton Estus for the western Payne County commissioner's seat, with the June 16 Republican primary deciding the race outright.\n\n**Who's running:** An incumbent who rose through the office, against a challenger who recently worked under her.\n\n  * Markum, elected in 2022 after eight years as the district's administrative assistant, faces Estus, who served as her chief deputy commissioner before resigning in March to run.\n\n\n\n**Why it matters:** The winner oversees District 3's roads, bridges and budget.\n\n  * The district maintains hundreds of miles of gravel and paved roads and more than 120 bridges.\n\n\n\n**On the Election Desk:** Both candidates are on the record.\n\n  * Markum and Estus have each answered our questionnaire.\n\n\n\n**The bottom line:** With no Democrat filed, June 16 settles who runs District 3.\n\nMeet the candidates and read their questionnaire responses → https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/#district-3\n\n* * *\n\n## Oklahoma Senate, District 20\n\n**Senate District 20: Appropriations chair Chuck Hall faces a primary challenge**\n\nIncumbent Sen. Chuck Hall, who chairs the Senate Appropriations Committee, faces challenger Mark LeMarr in the June 16 Republican primary — the decisive contest in the five-county district, since no Democrat filed.\n\n**Who's running:** A veteran budget-writer against a first-time legislative candidate.\n\n  * Hall, of Perry, is seeking a third and final term; LeMarr, a Crescent pastor, has pledged to accept no lobbyist money.\n\n\n\n**Why it matters:** District 20 spans Payne, Noble, Pawnee, Logan and Kingfisher counties.\n\n  * As Appropriations chair, Hall sits where state budget decisions are made.\n\n\n\n**On the Election Desk:** One candidate is on the record.\n\n  * Hall answered our questionnaire and has a reader endorsement letter posted; LeMarr did not respond.\n\n\n\n**The bottom line:** June 16 decides who represents the district in the state Senate.\n\nMeet the candidates and read their questionnaire responses → https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/#senate-20**/**\n\nADVERTISEMENT\n\n****ATTN Employers:**** If you're recruiting top talent, getting candidates here is half the battle. The _****Community Marketing Grant****_ helps Stillwater employers offset travel costs for prospective hires flying in through __Stillwater Regional Airport.__\n\n****Bring them to town**** , show them what Stillwater has to offer, and let the community close the deal. 🤠\n\n\n                            Applications Due June 17\n                        \n\n## Oklahoma House, District 33\n\n**House District 33: Jenkins and Roberson clash in a primary that runs to November**\n\nTwo Republicans — incumbent Molly Jenkins and Cushing Mayor B.J. Roberson — meet in the June 16 primary for House District 33, with the winner advancing to face Democrat Dr. Max E. Burchett Jr. in November.\n\n**Who's running:** A first-term incumbent against a veteran city official.\n\n  * Jenkins touts a 100 percent score on the 2025 Oklahoma Conservative Index; Roberson points to his Cushing record, including a hospital lease and infrastructure projects.\n\n\n\n**Why it matters:** Unlike most local races this year, the primary doesn't end it.\n\n  * The District 33 winner still faces a November general election.\n\n\n\n**On the Election Desk:** Both are on the record, with fact-checks.\n\n  * Jenkins and Roberson have each answered our questionnaire.\n\n\n\n**The bottom line:** Logan and Payne County voters narrow the field June 16 — but this seat isn't decided until fall.\n\nMeet the candidates and read their questionnaire responses → https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/#house-33\n\n* * *\n\n## Oklahoma House, District 35\n\n**House District 35: A rematch between Travis and Wright**\n\nIncumbent Rep. Dillon Travis faces challenger Kevin Wright in the June 16 Republican primary for House District 35 — a rematch of December's special primary, which Travis won. No Democrat filed, so the primary is decisive.\n\n**Who's running:** A first-term incumbent against a familiar challenger.\n\n  * Travis, an agricultural businessman who won February's special election, faces Wright, a former Jennings mayor and small-business owner.\n\n\n\n**Why it matters:** The five-county district stretches across rural northern Oklahoma.\n\n  * Both candidates name rural infrastructure and the tax burden among their top concerns.\n\n\n\n**On the Election Desk:** Both are on the record.\n\n  * Travis and Wright have each answered our questionnaire.\n\n\n\n**The bottom line:** After winning a special election in February, Travis must defend the seat again as District 35 voters return to the polls June 16.\n\nMeet the candidates and read their questionnaire responses → https://www.thestillwegian.news/2026-election-desk/#house-35\n\n* * *\n\n* * *\n\n* * *\n\nRattle our Tip Jar",
  "title": "Early voting starts today — your guide to local primary races",
  "updatedAt": "2026-06-11T12:00:45.824Z"
}