Poll: More Oklahomans call themselves Republicans

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Could the political tide be turning in Oklahoma? <br><br>A recent poll suggests that 43 percent of Oklahomans consider themselves Republicans while 41 percent label themselves Democrats.

Sunday, October 22nd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- Could the political tide be turning in Oklahoma?

A recent poll suggests that 43 percent of Oklahomans consider themselves Republicans while 41 percent label themselves Democrats. More than 15 percent say they're independents.

The poll was conducted by the University of Oklahoma political science department for The Sunday Oklahoman.

There are more Democrats registered to vote in Oklahoma than there are Republicans, but Republicans have dominated the last three elections.

A Democratic presidential candidate hasn't carried Oklahoma since 1964, when Lyndon Johnson won the state. But Democrats maintain their majority in the state Legislature.

Gary Copeland is a political science professor at the University of Oklahoma and says most respondents probably were thinking about federal elections when they gave their party affiliation.