Election officials say the number of independent voters has outpaced Republicans and Democrats in new voter registrations this year.
In March, Election Board officials removed about 145,000 inactive voters from the rolls. According to the Tulsa World, independents have added 4,582 new voters since then.
Republicans have added 1,544 new voters, while Democrats have decreased by 3,306.
There are different theories about the surge in independent voters. Some say the increase is attributed to voter frustration with the two major parties. State Republican Party Chairman David Weston says the increase likely comes from conservative Democrats who feel disenfranchised.
Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairman Wallace Collins says he wasn't certain about the reason, but noted that independent voters are unable to vote in primary elections under the state's closed primary system.
