In a surprising turn of events, Oklahomans narrowly chose to retain two out of the three state Supreme Court justices on the ballot in Tuesday's election. The results mark a significant shift in the state's judicial landscape, as voters opted to unseat a long-serving justice for the first time in the state's history.

Oklahomans Demand Change on the Bench

Voters Oust Veteran Justice Yvonne Kauger

The election saw a dramatic outcome, with voters choosing to retain Justices James E. Edmondson and Noma Gurich, but not Yvonne Kauger. Kauger, who had served on the state's highest court since 1984 after being appointed by Governor George Nigh, was the first justice in Oklahoma's history to be voted out of office.The results reflect a growing sentiment among Oklahomans that the state's Supreme Court has strayed too far from the values and priorities of the people. Governor Kevin Stitt, who has been a vocal critic of the court, praised the voters' decision, stating, "Voters made it clear they are tired of activist judges on our Supreme Court who don't share our Oklahoma values. It's time for fresh eyes on the court."

Narrow Victories for Edmondson and Gurich

The two justices who were retained, Edmondson and Gurich, both faced surprisingly close votes. Edmondson, appointed by Governor Brad Henry in 2003, secured 51% of the vote, while Gurich, appointed by the same governor in 2011, narrowly won retention with just 50.3% of the vote, a margin of only 7,555 votes out of more than 1.4 million cast.These results mark a significant departure from the typical retention elections in Oklahoma, where Supreme Court justices have historically won with wide margins. Over the past 10 years, the state's high court justices have been retained with an average of 62.8% of the vote, with the lowest retention rate being 58.7%.

Judicial Nominating Commission to Select Kauger's Replacement

Kauger's defeat opens a vacancy on the state's Supreme Court, which will now be filled by Governor Stitt through a selection process involving the state's Judicial Nominating Commission. This commission, composed of both lawyers and non-lawyers, will provide the governor with a list of candidates from which he can choose Kauger's replacement.The outcome of this election is likely to have far-reaching implications for the future of the Oklahoma Supreme Court, as the new justice appointed by Governor Stitt could shift the court's ideological balance and decision-making on a wide range of issues.

Voters Retain Judges on Lower Courts

While the state's Supreme Court justices faced a tumultuous election, voters chose to retain all judges up for retention on the Court of Criminal Appeals and the Court of Civil Appeals by relatively large margins. This suggests that the public's discontent may be primarily focused on the state's highest court, rather than the broader judicial system.The high-stakes battle over the Supreme Court justices was fueled by millions of dollars in spending from outside groups, both advocating for and against the justices' retention. These groups, some of which are not required to disclose their donors, have played a significant role in shaping the narrative and influencing the outcome of the election.As Oklahomans grapple with the implications of this historic vote, the state's judicial system is poised to undergo a significant transformation, with the potential for a more conservative-leaning Supreme Court in the years to come.