The Mayor and Council are elected for 4 year terms. The Mayor is elected in even numbered years each succeeding fourth year. Council is elected in odd numbered years. Wards 1, 3, 4, and 7 are elected in the same odd numbered year and Wards 2, 5, 6, and 8 are elected in the same odd numbered year. Officer elections are held on the second Tuesday of February (General) and if necessary, the first Tuesday of April (Runoff).

Oklahoma City holds non-partisan elections and there are no term limits. The Mayor-elect and Councilmember-elect are sworn in on the Tuesday four weeks following the scheduled date of the runoff election (whether it is necessary to be held or not).

Special elections can be called by the Mayor with the consent of the Council for issuance of bonds, Charter amendments, initiative petitions, franchise elections, special elections to fill Council vacancies, and sales tax levies.
    • Term
      Four years
    • Election 
      Even numbered years each succeeding fourth year.  Officer elections are held on the second Tuesday of February (General) and if necessary, the first Tuesday of April (Runoff).  The filing period is held in early December for three days.
    • Assume Office
      The Mayor-elect shall qualify and assume office the Tuesday four weeks following the scheduled date of the runoff election (whether it is necessary to be held or not) as provided in Article X of the Charter.
    • Pay
      $24,000 annually
    • Term
      Four years
    • Election
      Council is elected in odd numbered years. Wards 1, 3, 4 and 7 are elected in the same odd numbered year and Wards 2, 5, 6 and 8 are elected in the same odd numbered year. Officer elections are held on the second Tuesday of February (General) and if necessary, the first Tuesday of April (Runoff). The filing period is held in early December for three days.
    • Swearing-In
      Councilmember-elect are sworn in on the Tuesday four weeks following the scheduled date of the runoff election (whether it is necessary to be held or not) as provided in Article X of the Charter.
    • Pay
      $12,000 annually
  • Submit a written Declaration of Candidacy to the Oklahoma County Election Board setting forth the candidate’s name as he or she desires it to appear upon the ballot, address by street number, candidates ward, and the name of the office to become a candidate.
    Submit a cashier’s check or certified check in the amount of $200; or in the alternative submit a petition supporting the candidate’s filing signed by 500 eligible voters for Council office or 2,500 eligible voters for the office of Mayor.
    Candidates will obtain the Declaration of Candidacy and Petition Supporting Candidate for Municipal Office forms from:

    Oklahoma County Election Board
    4201 N Lincoln Blvd.
    Oklahoma City, OK 73105-5210
    (405) 713-1515

    Candidates must comply with the Rules of the Oklahoma Ethics Commission as they apply to candidates for municipal office effective January 1, 2015. The Guide for Municipal Candidates and Campaign Contribution Reports can be located at ok.gov/ethics.

    Qualifications
    • Citizen of the United States and of the State of Oklahoma
    • At least twenty-one 21 years of age;
    • Must have been a resident of Oklahoma City or an area annexed into Oklahoma City for at least one year; and
    • Office of Mayor - must have been a registered voter at an address within Oklahoma City for at least one year immediately preceding the filing of a declaration of candidacy.