Registered independents in Oklahoma will now be able to vote in Democratic primaries.
The vote by the Oklahoma Democratic Party to allow the move came during the reconvening of its State Convention in Oklahoma City on Saturday.
With the approval, independents will be able to vote in elections as soon as September.
New Party Chairman Mark Hammons supports the move and said he believes it would help Democratic candidates appeal to more voters. Some longtime party activists contend it could water down the party's message.
There are about 261,000 registered independents in Oklahoma, and the group is the fastest growing in the state.
Both Republican and Democratic primaries are currently open only to registered members of the party.
