Election

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — The race for an open congressional seat in eastern Oklahoma is the top political prize in next week's general election for both parties, but the top candidates in the race are downplaying party affiliation.

Republican Markwayne Mullin stresses business experience as he tries to appeal to Democrats while Democrat Rob Wallace tries to distance himself from President Obama — who failed to win a single one of the district's 26 counties in 2008.

The two will be on the Nov. 6 ballot, along with independent Michael Fulks of Heavener.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — A conservative think-tank has released a study suggesting the University of Oklahoma gave preferences to African Americans in admissions to its undergraduate, law and medical schools — a claim university officials dispute.

The Virginia-based Center for Equal Opportunity study was released Monday — two weeks before Oklahoma voters are set to decide a state question on whether to abolish all affirmative action programs in state government.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — While the nation's highest court ponders the use of race in college admissions, Oklahoma voters will decide next month whether to prohibit any affirmative action programs in state government.

State Question 759 is a Republican-backed proposal approved by Oklahoma lawmakers last year that would ban any government programs that give preferred treatment based on race, gender, ethnicity or national origin.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — State Election Board officials say more than 20,000 Oklahomans have already cast their ballots for the November 6th general election.

State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax  said Friday that county election boards have received 20,016 absentee ballots mailed by Oklahoma voters. The county election boards have sent 53,132 absentee ballots to Oklahoma voters who requested them.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the general election is October 31st.