Dark money spending in Oklahoma elections has steadily increased over the past decade, with no end in sight for the upcoming 2026 election cycle. 

Oklahoma lawmakers will gather this week to get a better grasp on the issue and possible legislative solutions.

Rep. Meloyde Blancett, D-Tulsa, will lead an interim study on the use of dark money in Oklahoma politics this morning, Monday, Oct. 13, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. To view a livestream or recording of the meeting, click here. 

Oklahoma Watch has reported extensively on the proliferation of dark money spending. In the months leading up to the June 2024 primary election, outside groups spent almost $3 million to influence Oklahoma voters, eclipsing the amount spent by candidates. Most of these groups did not share donor information. 

In April 2024, Gov. Kevin Stitt’s Task Force on Campaign Finance and Election Threats recommended several changes to curtail dark money spending, including allowing candidates to accept unlimited donations from individuals and political parties. Under current ethics rules, donations are capped at $3,500 per election. 

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2010 ruling in Citizens United v. FEC opened the floodgates for politically involved nonprofits to spend unlimited amounts of money on elections, so long as they don’t coordinate with campaigns. Several researchers have tied the decision to a rise in political polarization and increased influence of wealthy donors and special interest groups. 

While Oklahoma doesn’t have the authority to stop the spending, other states have passed transparency laws requiring the organizations to report their donors. In 2022, 72% of Arizona voters enacted the Voter’s Right to Know Act, which requires organizations that spend more than $50,000 in statewide elections to report the original source of donations exceeding $5,000. A challenge to the law is pending in the Arizona Supreme Court. 

Feel free to reach me at Kross@Oklahomawatch.org with thoughts, questions or story ideas. 

— Keaton Ross

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