Challenge to Remove Candidate from Mayes County Commissioner Ballot Based on Eligibility

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 11, 2026

Pryor, Oklahoma — Chase McBride filed a formal notice of representation and challenge seeking to disqualify Matthew Eldon Pritchett from appearing on the ballot for Mayes County Commissioner, District 3, based on violations of Oklahoma law governing candidate eligibility.
The firm represents Randy Pierce, the sitting Mayes County Commissioner for District 3, in the proceeding before the Mayes County Election Board. A hearing on the challenge has been set for April 14, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
The challenge is based on 26 O.S. § 5-105a, which prohibits any person convicted of a felony from seeking or holding public office until fifteen (15) years have elapsed following completion of the sentence.
The filing identifies two felony cases in the District Court of Mayes County, Oklahoma: Case No. CF-2006-8 and Case No. CF-2006-19. In both cases, Mr. Pritchett entered guilty pleas on July 11, 2007, to felony offenses involving obtaining merchandise by bogus check, and received five (5) year suspended sentences.
Because Oklahoma law requires both completion of the sentence and the passage of fifteen (15) years thereafter, the filing asserts that Mr. Pritchett remains statutorily disqualified from candidacy and is not eligible to appear on the ballot.
The filing further alleges that Mr. Pritchett made material misrepresentations in his sworn Declaration of Candidacy by indicating that he had not been convicted of a felony, despite documented felony convictions.
Under Oklahoma law, candidate eligibility requirements are mandatory and not subject to discretion. The Mayes County Election Board is required to apply the statute as written and determine whether the candidate meets the legal qualifications for office.
The matter is currently pending before the Mayes County Election Board.