Three Oklahoma Supreme Court justices face an unusually close retention race on Tuesday, a vote that has drawn big spending and sparked political debate.

Political analyst Scott Mitchell highlighted the unprecedented spending in these races: Over $3 million went into ads and campaigns – often funded by dark money groups. Advocates for the judges have rallied calling for “yes” votes to retain them, while ads encouraging “no” votes have also emerged, reportedly reflecting some alignment with Gov. Kevin Stitt’s stance. If the justices are not retained, Stitt would appoint replacements and potentially reshape the makeup of the court with an 8-1 Republican majority.

Mitchell noted that while the judicial selection process is complex, the political implications of these races are clear. The three judges up for retention were all appointed by Democratic governors, a factor that has tightened the race as many voters consider whether they want the governor to make new appointments. Given the narrow margins in early voting, Mitchell speculated that Oklahoma may be breaking new political ground in terms of judicial retention and influence on the state’s highest court.

Supporters and opponents of the justices are watching the results closely, aware that changing the composition of the court could have a significant impact on Oklahoma’s judicial landscape.