By Conrad Easterday, CTCN Editor

Oklahomans know who will be at the top of the ballot come Nov. 5 — even if they don’t care whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump triumphs in their divisive campaign.
The ballot, however, doesn’t end at the presidential race. There’s plenty more below it that will impact the welfare of the state and its residents, and much of it is good news if you’re a Republican.
Just under the presidential candidates is the opening for a seat on the Oklahoma Corporation Commission where J. Brian Bingman, a former state legislator, hopes to win on his credentials as a Republican. He’s outspent his Libertarian and Democrat opponents by $450,000 to $2,500.
The corporation commission regulates public utilities and oil and gas production so it’s vitally important in a state as resource rich as Oklahoma.
Just as important is the 4th District U.S. congressional race. Oklahoma Congressman Tom Cole easily defeated Paul Bondar in the GOP primary despite being outspent by the real estate magnate in the priciest Oklahoma congressional race ever. The newly elected chair of the powerful House Appropriations Committee, Cole will face Democrat Mary Brannon and James Stacy, an Independent, in the general election. He’s expected to win by a large margin.
Closer to home, the ballot pits State Senate District 43 candidate Kendal Sacchieri against Democrat Sam Graefe. Sacchieri unseated incumbent Republican Jessica Garvin in a primary runoff to set up the showdown with Graefe who is regarded as a token opponent.
Perhaps the most contentious items on the ballot are the judicial retention questions. Conservatives are hoping to generate enough “no” votes to remove state Supreme Court Justices Noma D. Gurich, Yvonne Kauger and James E. Edmondson. The trio are regarded as liberal activist judges.
A string of appeals court judges are listed on the flip side of the ballot along with two referendums.
State Question 833 amends the state constitution to allow cities to vote themselves an ad valorem tax for infrastructure. It will require a 60% vote of the people affected. SQ 834 amends the constitution to strengthen the requirement that all voters must be Oklahoma residents and U.S. citizens.