The State Election Board voted unanimously Wednesday to certify the results of the Congressional District 2 race, and all but one other general election contest, despite the fact the Democratic candidate in the contest died just days before the election.
Congressman MarkwayneMullin captured 70.0 percent of the ballots cast in the Nov. 4 general election. Democratic candidate Earl Everett, who passed away Nov. 2, received 24.6 percent of the ballots.
Current state law permits political parties to name a replacement for candidates who die before the general election and requires the governor to call a special election in the event of such a death.
State Election Board member Diana Spurlock attempted to exclude certification of the Congressional District 2 results from Wednesday's action. Those results should not be certified and a special election held "in fairness to the voters of Oklahoma and to do the right thing," she said.
Her motion to exclude the results failed to receive a second. The motion to certify the results, except for a Sequoyah County associate district judge race where a recount has been requested, was approved unanimously.
Oklahoma Democratic Party Chair Wallace Collins does not agree with the board's decision and said the party will pursue legal action. It's unclear exactly what that action will be.
In a prepared statement, Mullins said, "We were pleased about the decision of the State Election Board and the Oklahoma Attorney General that no new election is necessary in the Second District. The people of the Second District reelected me with 70 percent of the vote because they know I stand for conservative Oklahoma values, for our jobs and for our families. It is my privilege to be able to continue representing them in Congress."
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