Elections; closed primaries; political party; paying cost; open primaries; effective date.

HB 1712 modifies Oklahoma's election rules for political party primaries. It requires political parties that hold "closed primaries" (limiting voting to registered party members) to cover the full cost of those elections. Parties must notify the State Election Board by November 30 each odd-numbered year if they want to allow independent voters to participate in their primaries; failure to notify blocks independent voting. New political parties must also provide this notification when seeking recognition. The bill takes effect November 1, 2025.