Election Day: September 12, 2023

UPDATE, 9/13/23: The ONG franchise proposition was approved with 50.24% of the vote, according to unofficial results of the Oklahoma State Election Board: https://results.okelections.us/OKER/?elecDate=20230912.

POSTED 7/13/23: Article 18, Section 5(a) of the Oklahoma Constitution requires voter approval of a franchise in order for the City to grant the right to use its streets to sell and distribute utility services to its residents to a public utility company. A franchise is achieved by putting forth a franchise agreement to the voters in the form of an ordinance and calling a city-wide election. Franchise agreements are typically longer term and provide for a franchise fee to be paid to the City in exchange for access to the City streets and rights of way for utility services.

Norman City Council approved an item in July 2023 that will allow qualified voters in Norman to vote upon a proposed franchise agreement between Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG) and the City of Norman. The election will be held September 12, 2023. The deadline to register to vote in this election is August 18; the deadline to request an absentee ballot for this election is August 28.

See full details and information regarding the proposed franchise agreement, as well as ballot language, in a document here.

Check your voter registration status or find your polling place at https://okvoterportal.okelections.us/. Questions about the voting process can be directed to the Cleveland County Election Board.

An informational webpage managed through Oklahoma Natural Gas can be accessed at: https://www.oklahomanaturalgas.com/norman.