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Oklahoma Voters Head to Polls Today for Major Statewide Races, Ballot Questions and Local Issues

Oklahoma voters will head to the polls today, November 3, to decide several major statewide offices, a U.S. Senate seat, congressional and legislative races, two state questions, and a number of local issues, including a proposed sales tax to help fund a new Oklahoma County jail.

The 2026 general election will determine Oklahoma’s next governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and several other statewide officials. Voters will also weigh in on proposed constitutional changes involving property taxes and the state’s judicial selection process.

With Governor Kevin Stitt completing his second term, Oklahoma voters will select a new governor. Republican Mike Mazzei, a former state senator, faces Democrat Cyndi Munson, a former state representative. Independent candidates Robert Brooks, Orlando Lynn Bush and Jerry Griffin are also on the ballot.

In the latest Crop Progress report from USDA, U.S. Corn harvested stands at 74% and Soybeans harvested stands at 88%. U.S. Cotton harvested stands at 63% and Sorghum harvested stands at 64%.

U.S. Winter Wheat planting now stands at 83%, compared to 76% one week ago. In Oklahoma, wheat planting now stands at 62% compared to 51% a week ago. Texas wheat planting is now at 77% compared to 70% one week ago. Kansas is now at 86% planted compared to 80% one week ago.

Oklahoma cotton bolls opening are at 90%. Area harvested is at 32%. Kansas cotton bolls opening are at 97%. Area harvested is at 30%. Texas cotton bolls opening are at 87%. Area harvested is at 61%.

Senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays continues his conversation with Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association Executive Vice President Michael Kelsey about building relationships with newly elected lawmakers, priorities for the 2027 legislative session and the importance of agriculture having a voice in state policy decisions.

As Oklahoma prepares for a new group of lawmakers, Kelsey says building relationships before election day is an important part of the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association’s strategy.

He says the organization works to connect with candidates early rather than waiting until they take office. “We just try as best we can to not build a relationship after an election,” Kelsey said. “We try to build relationships before the election.”

Multimillion-dollar Campaign Against US Pork Producers Traced to Silicon Valley and Animal Rights Network

A new RealClearInvestigations (RCI) report links a $40 million campaign against a congressional fix to California’s Proposition 12 to Silicon Valley wealth, animal rights activists, and a network of philanthropic organizations operating behind groups that present themselves as voices for American farmers.

In “The Bacon Wars: Pig Farmers Battle Tech Barons Over Animal Welfare,” James Varney examines the money, leadership and advertising behind the farm bill attack campaign.

At the center is the American Meat Producers Association (AMPA), which has announced a $30 million effort opposing the Save Our Bacon provision that would correct Prop. 12 in the farm bill. The investigation reveals a stark contrast with the campaign’s claims of representing farmers and raises these central questions: Who is paying for the campaign? Whose interests does it represent? And what are the consequences for American farmers and consumers?

In a recent Cow Calf Corner article, Dr. Derrell Peel writes: Two components are necessary for cyclical herd rebuilding: decreased beef cow culling and increased heifer retention. Decreased cow culling is mostly about slowing herd liquidation and stabilizing cow inventory at the cyclical low. 

From that point, increased heifer retention provides the means to expand beef cow inventories. The first part of that process is in place. Beef cow culling dropped from a record high of 13.19 percent in 2022 to a projected record low of 7.35 percent in 2026. 

Current projections are for 2026 beef cow slaughter to be down over 48 percent from the 2022 levels.  However, the heifer retention component has been very slow to develop. Both the January and July 2026 Cattle reports showed a slight increase in beef replacement heifers…but not enough to suggest herd growth. 

Oklahoma livestock producers facing persistent processing bottlenecks have new federal avenues for expansion and technical support, according to USDA Under Secretary for Food Safety Dr. Mindy Brashears.

Sitting down with Farm Director KC Sheperd, Dr. Brashears highlighted key USDA initiatives aimed directly at resolving processing constraints, expanding interstate commerce, and building the next generation of meat inspection professionals.

A graduate alumna of Oklahoma State University, Dr. Brashears recently visited with Oklahoma agricultural leaders and Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture Blayne Arthur to hear firsthand the critical issues challenging cattle country. 

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced that 8 additional meat and poultry companies have adopted USDA’s voluntary Product of USA (POTUSA) label, building on the strong momentum behind the Trump Administration’s efforts to help consumers easily identify products that are truly born, raised, harvested, and processed in the United States.

With this announcement, more than 30 companies have committed to the label since USDA launched its nationwide campaign earlier this year.

As more processors adopt the Product of USA label, American families heading to the grocery store or local supplier this holiday season can shop with greater confidence that when they purchase products bearing the claim, they are directly supporting American farmers, ranchers, processors, and rural communities.

As Oklahoma farmers and ranchers prepare for winter, Ken Carpenter Auction and Realty is gearing up for its winter consignment auction, featuring hay equipment, cattle supplies, vehicles, used building materials, and other items for agricultural operations.

Speaking with Oklahoma Farm Report associate farm reporter Carli Davenport, Carpenter said consignments are already coming in from multiple states as the cooler weather brings new opportunities for buyers and sellers.

“Oh man, we’re expecting a lot of good stuff,” Carpenter said. “We’ve had some good rains, and we’re out there, starting to take stuff in.” Carpenter said consignments include individual items, sheet metal, cattle equipment, vehicles, trucks and personal property from estates.

Checking the Markets...

With the feeling of last week's dramatic downturn still fresh on everyone's mind, the live cattle contracts ended Monday lower again as traders desperately need to see some fundamental support arise as the market's confidence was shaken last week. December live cattle closed $1.25 lower at $219.70, February live cattle closed $0.67 lower at $223.52 and April live cattle closed $0.47 lower at $226.15.

Boxed beef prices closed higher: choice up $0.38 ($365.04) and select up $2.96 ($354.94) with a movement of 81 loads.

Although the live cattle complex ended Monday mostly lower, the feeder cattle complex was able to keep its slightly higher position through the day's close. November feeders closed $0.65 higher at $338.42, January feeders closed $0.90 higher at $332.67 and March feeders closed $1.02 higher at $328.30.

Click here for our Markets Page on OklahomaFarmReport.Com- there you will find our latest reports on cattle auctions, boxed beef, cash grains and market analysis.

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