Government

Oklahoma's State CapitolOklahoma's State Capitol is in Oklahoma City, the capital since 1910.

Oklahoma is governed under its original constitution of 1907 and later amendments. The constitution provides for direct legislation through the initiative and referendum.

The executive branch is headed by the governor, who is elected for four years and may serve an unlimited number of terms, but no more than two consecutive terms. Other state officials include the lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, auditor and inspector, insurance commissioner, and superintendent of public instruction—all elected for four years. The secretary of state is appointed by the governor. The legislature consists of a senate of 48 members and a house of representatives of 101 members.

Governors of Oklahoma
NamePartyTerm
Charles N. Haskell Democratic1907-1911
Lee Cruce Democratic1911-1915
R. L. Williams Democratic1915-1919
James B. A. Robertson Democratic1919-1923
John C. Walton Democratic1923
Martin E. Trapp Democratic1923-1927
Henry S. Johnston Democratic1927-1929
William J. Holloway Democratic1929-1931
William H. Murray Democratic1931-1935
Ernest W. Marland Democratic1935-1939
Leon C. Phillips Democratic1939-1943
Robert S. Kerr Democratic1943-1947
Roy J. Turner Democratic1947-1951
Johnston Murray Democratic1951-1955
Raymond D. Gary Democratic1955-1959
J. Howard Edmondson Democratic1959-1963
George Nigh Democratic1963
Henry Bellmon Republican1963-1967
Dewey F. Bartlett Republican1967-1971
David Hall Democratic1971-1975
David L. Boren Democratic1975-1979
George Nigh Democratic1979-1987
Henry Bellmon Republican1987-1991
David Walters Democratic1991-1995
Frank Keating Republican1995-2003
Brad Henry Democratic2003-

Senators are elected to four-year terms, representatives to two-year terms. The legislature meets annually.

The judiciary is headed by a supreme court of nine justices. Other courts include a court of criminal appeals, court of civil appeals, district courts, and municipal courts.

Oklahoma is divided into 77 counties. It sends two senators and five representatives to the U.S. Congress.