Oklahoma County voters reject jail sales tax by wide margin

Oklahoma County voters defeated a proposed jail sales tax by a nearly 2-to-1 margin on Tuesday, Nov. 3, leaving an $850 million jail project without the additional funding sought to complete and operate the proposed jail.

With all precincts reporting, 139,181 voters (62.3%) opposed the 0.4% sales tax and 84,143 (37.6%) supported it, according to unofficial results first reported by NonDoc.

Results remain unofficial pending certification by the Oklahoma County Election Board, which can occur no earlier than 5 p.m. Nov. 6. A recount or election contest could delay certification, NonDoc reported.

Jail project left in limbo

The tax would have funded construction and operation of a new county jail over 25 years. Voters approved $260 million in bonds for the project in 2022, but costs ballooned to about $850 million for a facility of at least 1,800 beds by election day, NonDoc reported.

The Oklahoman’s reported outlook says unless another sales tax election is called and succeeds, the county will operate a split system: the aging jail tower downtown at 201 N. Shartel Ave. and a nearly complete behavioral health center at 1901 E. Grand Blvd. in southeast Oklahoma City.

District 2 Commissioner Brian Maughan, who led the sales tax effort, could not be immediately reached for comment on election night, The Oklahoman reported. Maughan will be the lone Republican on the three-member Board of Commissioners.

District 1 Commissioner Jason Lowe, who opposed the tax, told NonDoc in an interview on election night that the proposal would not have done enough for diversion programs and infrastructure improvements he said the county needs.

"Voters don't want a bigger jail," Lowe told NonDoc. "They want a jail that focuses on rehabilitation over incarceration, that focuses on helping people as opposed to incarcerating people."

Lowe said recent county budget problems eroded public trust. "I think what's been happening at the county over the last several years, as far as the budget numbers, that's created a lack of trust and we have to rebuild that trust," he said.

Supporters had cited the threat of a federal Department of Justice takeover, the jail's death rate and the county's exposure to lawsuits. Opponents questioned the jail's location, proposed capacity and the final price tag, according to NonDoc.

Mayo wins by 67 votes

Democrat Jennifer Mayo upset Republican Jessica Clayton for the District 3 commissioner seat, receiving 49,288 votes to Clayton's 49,221. The 67-vote margin could draw a recount request from Clayton, NonDoc reported. Clayton congratulated Mayo on "her victory" in a social media post on election night, according to Free Press OKC.

Mayo said in an election night statement that she was "incredibly honored to be part of what comes next." During an October forum, she had opposed the jail sales tax and criticized county leaders for budget problems.

The District 3 seat leaned Republican in recent elections. Former Republican Commissioner Myles Davidson resigned in April amid scandal, according to NonDoc.

Gibbons, Thompson complete the sweep

Democrat John Gibbons defeated Republican Assessor Larry Stein, who was first elected in 2018. Democrat Jessica Thompson beat Republican Christie Miller for county treasurer.

The County Budget Board will be split evenly with four Republicans and four Democrats, according to NonDoc. All election results remain unofficial until certified by the Oklahoma State Election Board on Nov. 6.