Oklahoma County voters soundly defeat jail sales tax
Oklahoma County voters soundly defeated a county sales tax to finish and operate a new jail campus that includes a nearly complete Behavioral Care Center, according to unofficial results from the Oklahoma State Election Board. The vote on Tuesday, Nov. 3, thwarts the county's plan to fully complete the campus at 1901 E. Grand Blvd. in southeast Oklahoma City and eventually replace the aging 13-story jail tower at 201 N. Shartel Ave. downtown. Unless another sales tax election is called and succeeds, the county will be left with a hybrid operation, with the old jail downtown and the care center, diversion, intake, kitchen, and laundry at 1901 E. Grand. With all precincts reporting, the tally was: For: 84,143, or 37.7%. Against: 139,181, or 63.3%. Official election results will not be certified until Nov. 6. LIVE: It's Election Day in Oklahoma: Governor race, state questions, live updates District 2 County Commissioner Brian Maughan, chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, could not be immediately reached for comment. Maughan was the tax's leading proponent. However, leaders of People's Council for Justice Reform , the main opponent of the tax − and the plans for the new jail − have made their position
