Early voting begins January 8 in the Republican runoff for the Oklahoma House of Representatives District 35, with voters choosing between rancher Dillon Travis and former Pawnee County Sheriff Mike Waters to determine who will face Democrat Luke Kruse in the February 10 general election.

Republican runoff candidates compete for House District 35 seat

Early voting opens January 8 for voters in the five-county district

Travis, owner of Southern Plains AG-GO, and Waters advanced to the runoff after a December 9 primary in which neither candidate secured the majority needed to win outright. The winner of the Republican runoff will face Democrat candidate Luke Kruse in the February 10 general election.

District Coverage and Demographics

House District 35 spans a large geographic area across five counties in north-central Oklahoma. The district includes portions of Pawnee, Noble, Payne, Creek and Osage counties, representing a diverse mix of rural communities, small towns, and suburban areas.

Early Voting Information

Early voters may cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on January 8 and 9 at the Payne County Election Board, located at 315 W. Sixth Ave., suite 207. According to the Payne County Election Board in a Tuesday press release, early voting is not available at regular polling places—only at the county election board office.

Payne County Election Board Secretary Courtney Callison emphasized that early voting “is open to all voters” and does not require any special justification or excuse.

“You do not need to provide an excuse to vote early. Oklahoma allows early voting for all elections conducted by the County Election Board or State Election Board—from school board and municipal elections to state and federal elections,” Callison said. “This is a great option for those who will be out of town on Election Day or who want to avoid long lines.”

Accessibility and Voter Assistance

Voters who may need assistance—such as those who are blind or visually impaired, physically disabled, or illiterate—may request an assistant or vote privately and independently using an audio tactile interface system attached to the voting device.

Persons who require assistance may talk to their precinct official or contact the election board directly for instructions on available accommodations.

The Candidates

Dillon Travis is a rancher and the owner of Southern Plains AG-GO, bringing agricultural business experience to his campaign. Travis has emphasized his roots in rural Oklahoma and understanding of issues facing farmers and ranchers in the district.

Mike Waters is a former Pawnee County Sheriff with extensive law enforcement experience. Waters has highlighted his background in public safety and his knowledge of the criminal justice system as key qualifications for the legislative role.

The winner will face Luke Kruse, the Democratic candidate, in the February 10 general election. Kruse automatically advanced to the general election as the only Democrat to file for the special election.

What Happens After the Election

The winner of February’s general election will immediately take office to complete Burns’ unexpired term, which runs through the end of 2026. However, this creates an unusual situation where the newly elected representative will need to decide relatively quickly whether to seek a full term.

To run for the full 2027-28 legislative term, candidates—including the person elected in February—would need to file again during the April 2026 filing period. This means voters in District 35 could potentially see another election cycle for the same seat just months after the February vote.

How to Get More Information

For more information about early voting, polling locations, voter registration, or accessibility accommodations, voters can contact the Payne County Election Board at 405-747-8350 or email paynecounty@elections.ok.gov.

The Payne County Election Board office is located at 315 W. Sixth Ave., suite 207, in Stillwater and is open during regular business hours for voters who have questions or need assistance with the voting process.