Let's Pod This

Scott's back, and so is Dr. Keith Gaddie, and together we discuss the presidential race, democracy, and everything in between.

With 3 weeks until election day, the team discusses the state of the presidential race, the role of prediction markets, and what Oklahomans will find on their ballots this year.League of Women Voters' 2024 Voter GuideLet's Fix This' Voter HubFiveThirtyEight's election dashboardNate Silver's substack, Silver Bulletin, and podcast, Risky BusinessFreakonomics Radio episode "How to Predict the Presidency"

Yesterday, Governor Stitt and state election officials released a statement about election security and the state's efforts to maintain accurate voter rolls. While accurate, the way the Governor presented the data has caused concern, so we want to clear up a few things.Oklahoma did not purge 453K voters this week. The way this has been presented made some people believe this was a recent purge, however, the truth is that 453K is the total number of voters who were removed from 2021 to present. Voter list maintenance is done monthly, and voters may be removed from voter rolls for many reasons - often because they've moved out of state, died, or became ineligible for some reason. Some voters are removed because they have not voted in many years (more on that below). Voter list maintenance is good and normal. Every state is required to maintain a clean & accurate voter list, and it's an enormous task. Oklahoma currently has nearly 2.4 million registered voters, but that number changes every single day. Voters are constantly moving within the state and between states, voters die, change their name, and change their party affiliation. Some voters become ineligble due to felony convictions and others regain their eligibility once they complete their sentences. And some voters become inactive because they do not participate for a long period of time. It's a constantly changing list, and keeping it as current as possible is good for everyone.When does list maintenance occur?The Oklahoma State Election Board does list maintenance on an ongoing basis and publishes monthly reports with details about how many voters were added, removed, and updated. You can view the August report here. What about "inactive" voters?State and federal laws require the State Election Board to contact voters who have not voted in a while. In Oklahoma, a voter is considered "inactive" if they have not voted in four general election cycles - in other words, if they have not voted in any election for 8 consecutive years. Here's how it works:In the year after a general election, the state will send the address confirmation to voters who haven’t cast a ballot in either of the last two general elections or any state or local elections in that 4-year time period.If the voter doesn’t respond within 60 days of receiving the letter, they are put on “inactive status” but are still registered and are still able to vote. The voter can regain their active status at any time by voting in any election or updating their voter registration information.If the voter, while on inactive status, doesn’t participate in an election for two more general election cycles (4 additional years), their voter registration will then be removed and they will need to re-register if they want to vote again.This means that any inactive voter who is being purged this year hasn't voted in any election since 2018 and didn't respond to the notification mailer from the State Election Board.Do other states also remove voters in a similar manner? Yes, although the process varies from state to state. All states strive to maintain accurate voter lists. Do we need to remove inactive voters?Some argue that no voter should ever be removed, even if they're inactive, because it's an infringement on voting rights. Others argue that we should purge voters even more quickly than we do already. Our position is that list maintenance is important provided that the state makes attempts to engage with inactive voters. Oklahoma's current system meets these requirements.We also believe that if the state is going to take action to remove voters then it should take greater action to register new ones, such as by enacting automatic voter registration when someone turns 18, becomes a US citizen, and anytime a eligible person interacts with any state agency.Why isn't there a nationwide voter database?There is...kind of. In 2012, a bipartisan, nonprofit organization called the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC, was created to be a clearinghouse for voter data between states. Unfortunately, due to rumors and conspiracy theories, a number of states have pulled out of ERIC and did so without a good alternative. This NPR article from October 2023 provides a great overview. How do I know if I'm still registered? You can easily check your voter registration status by using the Oklahoma Voter Portal or the Let's Fix This Voter Hub. Anything else I should know? We encourage everyone to read the Governor's full statement, as it really does highlight the sound management of Oklahoma's election system from beginning to end, including the security of our voting machines, paper ballots, and election audit process. There is a lot of misinformation about elections floating around this year - you can play

We visit with our fall policy fellows, Ava Woodall and Preston Salameh, for their Gen Z perspectives on the 2024 election and what they're looking for during the presidential debate.

Republicans want to investigate State Superintendent Ryan Walters and it seems he wants them to investigate him, too, which is weird. But...why?Here is the NonDoc article referenced gratuitously throughout the episode. There's more in the article; you should read it.

Another week, another news story about something going wrong at the OK State Department of Education. KFOR news storyEmail your legislators here!

It feels like everything in the world has changed, so let's recap: an assassination attempt on Trump, Biden dropped out, Harris tagged in, Ryan Walters flaunts the law, and, well, Andy's father died.

Tuesday's primary elections brought several legislative upsets that are causing some voters to scratch their heads while others celebrate. Let's talk about what that means for Oklahoma moving forward.

Have you ever read a news story and wondered why the author framed it in a certain way, why they asked certain questions but not others, or how they deal with wild feedback? In this episode we speak with Ted Streuli, Executive Director of the nonpartisan, nonprofit, investigative newsroom, Oklahoma Watch, to give us an inside look at the politics of political reporting.

Senator Julia Kirt joins us to discuss the budget agreement on the FY25 state budget. (NOTE: This episode was recorded outdoors as a video. We were testing new equipment and some people interrupted us, so quality and flow are a little atypical!)Watch the video of this episode here.

Let's talk about immigration, legislative deadlines, and the budget battle that's brewing.

We're joined by Jasmine Brown-Jutras and Jill Owens, both organizers with ACLU Oklahoma, to discuss their careers as community organizers, what "organizing" actually means, and how you can do it in your own community. Links mentioned:Raise the Wage Oklahoma (website)Upcoming training & signature collection regional offices

This is a special crossover episode with our friends at The Cinematic Schematic, which is the podcast produced by OKC-based art and film blog, The Cinematropolis.

A couple of legislative updates, but really, let's talk about "outrage fatigue." It's real, and we need to address it together if we're going to save democracy.Also, please join us: letsfixthis.org/volunteer

We take a few minutes to catch up on where the Oklahoma legislature is in session, along with candidate filing information, open primaries, and how immigration is factoring into the Drummond v McCall not-yet-official race for Governor. Links discussed: Oklahoma group weighing open primary ballot initiative to increase inclusion, reduce divisiveness (Oklahoma Voice)

We're joined by Michelle Tilley, executive director of the south region Generation Citizen. *** Editor's Note: If you have the means, we encourage you to support or volunteer with Freedom Oklahoma.

We're joined again by Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck from Oklahoma Faith Network to talk more in-depth about Christian nationalism, both as an ideology and as a political movement, and, more importantly, where those things intersect. Links mentioned:Pew Research Center on Christian nationalism.PRRI research (Feb 28, 2024)OFN's Sign-on letter in support of separation of church & state

In honor of National Public Schools Week, Andy is joined by Erika Wright, founder & director of the Oklahoma Rural Schools Coalition, to discuss the state of public schools throughout Oklahoma and the unique challenges they face in rural areas.

It's been a busy week! Andy summarizes several recent, relevant stories:Proposal to eliminate requirement for sex education Grocery sales tax reduction & its impact on the state budgetOK County selects location for new jail Drummond dismisses suit against ClassWallet, againEdmond School Board fights back against State Dept of EducationProposed changes to the ballot initiative processRSVP for our upcoming The West Wing watch party on 2/28

Andy is joined by James Davenport, Associate Dean for Social Sciences at Rose State College and noted Libertarian, to discuss governance, civility, and what civic engagement really means.

Governor Stitt delivered his sixth annual State of the State address to joint session of the Oklahoma legislature and we noticed a higher-than-usual amount of religious content. Given our conversation last week with Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck and the rise of Christian nationalism across the country, we felt it important to highlight those excerpts for you. You can also listen to the full speech at the end of the episode. Read the full text of the speechWatch video of the speech

We're joined by Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck, executive director of the Oklahoma Faith Network, to discuss how they bring together the interfaith community and how to understand white Christian nationalism so that we can fight it together.

We're joined by Arielle Mizrahi, Partnerships Manager for Unify America, a national nonprofit that creates interactive experiences to help people bust out of their bubbles, build civic muscles, and work together to tackle our country’s biggest challenges.

Recorded with a live studio audience, Andy and Scott reflect on 250 episodes, engage the audience with some Oklahoma history trivia, and are joined on stage by Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn and state Senator Julia Kirt.

We're joined by Colleen McCarty from the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice about their work on criminal & juvenile justice, education justice, elections justice, and pretty much every other kind of justice. Click here for tickets to our 250th Episode party!

Andy is joined by LFT policy fellow Cooper Marshall to for a round-robin update on federal government gridlock, Oklahoma legislative special session, and upcoming elections.

Andy visits with Brad Senters from ShelterWell, an Oklahoma City-based nonprofit fostering a spirit of connected community that is centered on the belief that housing is a human right.

Andy visits with Dr. Emily Stacey, professor and program director of political science at Rose State College. Check out the Oklahoma Voice!

In the gap between elected officials, citizen activists, and professional advocates, there exists another way you can shape policy: serving on a board or commission. In this episode, Andy speaks with Constanzia Nizza, chief of staff at the Oklahoma Office of Juvenile Affairs, about the hundreds of boards and commissions in our state on which people can serve, how to apply, and why it's necessary for us to show up!Oklahoma's "ABC Book"Oklahoma City's Boards and Appointees

Andy visits with Nicole Bauman, Advocacy Coordinator at CAIR Oklahoma, about her role at the organization and her perspective on advocacy more broadly.

Andy visits with local rapper, restauranteur, activist, and now, nonprofit leader, Jabee about the launch of Live Free OKC, an organization addressing gun violence in our community, and Jabee's very personal connection to the cause.

The battle over tribal gaming compacts heats up, Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan discusses the SHINE Program, and even some throwback theme music!Links mentioned: Treat formally requests Drummond intervention in tribal gaming lawsuitSecond time a charm: Senate overrides Stitt to extend two sets of tribal compacts‘An extraordinary act’: Drummond enters lawsuit over tribal gaming compacts

We visit with Bruce Caplinger, one of our supporters who teaches U.S. citizenship classes in the OKC metro area, about the citizenship process. Below are links to the citizenship test and mock interview questions. For Bruce's contact info, visit this blog post on our website.100-question citizenship testMock citizenship interview questions

Visit CivicsCon.com to get tickets and see the full, amazing speaker lineup. Don't miss it.

Andy and Scott discuss today's federal indictment of former president Donald Trump and do a quick wrap-up of the first regular session (and part of the first special session) of the 59th Oklahoma legislature. Will more happen next week? Yes, but we'll address that then. Former president Donald Trump has been indicted on 38 federal counts of obstruction of justice and other charges. Read the indictment.Who were the winners and losers of the 2023 legislative session? Our comprehensive list (The Oklahoman)Final report-out from Pro Tem Greg Treat

If you feel like life is really hard right now, you're right, and you're not alone. This episode is a quick PSA from Andy, less about politics and more about being resilient.

Andy is joined by Pastor Mac from First AME Church in OKC to discuss public policy, religion, community, and our collective power to reshape our state.

Andy & Scott discuss the legislature's agreement on education funding, the State Treasurer's performative (and hurtful) ban on banks with ESG funds, and AG Drummond doing the bare minimum to win hearts & minds. Education deal: Teacher pay, maternity leave and formula tweaks to unlock tax credit bill (NonDoc)OK Senate leader offers hope OETA will be funded despite Stitt veto controversy (The Oklahoman)Oklahoma may be hurting itself with a ban on some big banks and financial firms (The Oklahoman)AG delays enforcement of OK trans health care ban (The Oklahoman)

With just two weeks until sine die, Andy and Scott are joined by Emma Morris, fiscal policy analyst at Oklahoma Policy Institute, to discuss how the state budget is shaping up, why the process is so secretive, and how the state could (and should) do it differently.Links discussed:Superintendent Ryan Walters Calls Oklahoma Teacher Unions a ‘Terrorist Organization’ (The Oklahoman)Five transgender youths file suit saying Oklahoma Health care ban is unconsititutional (The Oklahoman) Gov. Stitt Vetoes Bill To Allow Tribal Regalia At High School Graduations (News 9)Former state supreme court justice Steven Taylor was tapped to serve as mediator for negotiations between the Governor, the House, & the Senate

It's a McCall vs Treat vs Stitt cage match and the losers are all of us - Oklahomans at home who just want to watch OETA and send our kids to public school. Is that too much to ask?

Andy & Scott get a little spicy discussing Governor Stitt's comments to a reporter how he plans to address homelessness, how he chose not to re-appoint Ryan Walters as Secretary of Education, and how he wants to give Panasonic $245M in free, up-front money to lure them to our state (after they already walked away once). Other things you should watch & read:Last Week Tonight with John Oliver segment about Homeowners AssociationsOklahoma and Texas Seek Solution To Red River Water DisputeBoard disapproves Catholic charter school application for now, requests corrections

Another week, another story (or two!) about Attorney General Gentner Drummond. First, we discuss how Drummond "clapped back" at Ryan Walters and the State Board of Education for approving rules without legal authority to do so, and then we analyze why Drummond dropped charges against state Rep. Terry O'Donnell while also calling him guilty. And finally, we discuss how high turnout in Edmond dashed Democrats' hope for Derrick Scobey to win the Oklahoma County Clerk seat. Oh, and former president Donald Trump was formally indicted this week. Whew!Links mentioned: New Oklahoma rules on school library books, transgender students should be void, AG says (The Oklahoman)Despite calling him ‘guilty,’ AG Gentner Drummond drops charges against Rep. Terry O’Donnell (NonDoc)Progressives Won In The Midwest, While Trump Was Arrested In Manhattan (FiveThirtyEight)

Trump is indicted, another state rep was arrested, and is Ryan Walters distracting us from what the legislature is doing with education funding? Also: let's dream big dreams together!

We're joined by CAIR Oklahoma executive director, Adam Soltani, to discuss the "othering" of Muslims and other marginalized groups by some members of the Oklahoma legislature, as well as their recent Muslim Day the Capitol and their upcoming Ramadan Iftar with elected officials.

Andy interviews public health professor Sunshine Cowan, PhD about the role & purpose of public health and the history & current use of the word "woke."

SQ820 is on the ballot, the Republicans in the state legislature vote to restrict individual freedom for certain Oklahomans, and there's a big election on April 4th.

Representative Mickey "Kickstand" Dollens joins us to discuss bills attacking the ballot initiative process, the House GOP education proposal, and the somewhat bizarre behavior of our State Superintendent.

Labor Commissioner Leslie Osborn joins Andy to discuss the role of the Labor Commissioner, her plans for her second term, and timely topics such as open primaries, the legislative process, and why investing in public education is workforce development.Coverage of the House education plan: NonDoc | The OklahomanOpening clip from The Newsroom

Governor Stitt delivered his State of the State addresses and we invited two of our listeners - intern Micah Caruso and Andy's father, Eddie Moore, into the studio to provide live feedback during and after the speech.

It's the week before session and all of Oklahoma is abuzz with discussion about newly elected State Superintendent Ryan Walter's budget request (and his comments about wanting to divide Tulsa Public Schools into multiple districts), so we invited education policy expert Ellen Pogemiller from OEA to join us to discuss what they're watching this year. Links discussed:  You can register to attend the 2023 State of the State Address with Let’s Fix This on our Community Calendar on our websiteThe State of the State Address can be attended in person or virtual and will start at 12pm. Let us know if you're attending or watching.Leslie Osborn the Oklahoma Labor Commissioner, published a column in the Tulsa WorldBen Felder from the Oklahoman recently published an article discussing the ‘grassroots’ movement for Oklahoma school vouchers