Democratic former Oklahoma County commissioner selected to serve on state Election Board

By Michael McNutt

[ SEPTEMBER 15, 2011 - OKLAHOMA CITY ] - Roth was one of three members and two alternates named to the agency that handles state elections and oversees the state’s 77 county election boards. In addition to Roth, Fallin reappointed Thomas Prince and named Steve Curry to the three-member board.

Legislation passed and approved this year added two additional alternate members. The alternates represent each political party and may fill in at meetings when a member of their same party is unable to attend.

Fallin named Jerry Buchanan, a Republican, and Tim Mauldin, a Democrat, as alternates. They along with Curry and Prince, both Republicans, and Roth, a Democrat, need Senate confirmation. They will serve four-year terms.

Fallin, a Republican, is required under the new law, Senate Bill 931, which took effect last month, to name at least one Democrat and a Democratic alternate to the board. Previously, the governor was required to name two members from the political party with the most members in the state.

Former Gov. Brad Henry selected Roth to serve as corporation commissioner June 1, 2007. Roth lost a bid to win a full six-year term in 2008 to Republican Dana Murphy. Before that, Roth, of Oklahoma City, was elected Oklahoma County commissioner in 2002 and re-elected in 2006.

Curry, of Oklahoma City, is the brokerage director at Mass Mutual. Prince, of Edmond, owns Prince Law Office. He has served on the Election Board since 1999.

Buchanan, of Tulsa, owns JC & Co., a property investment company. Mauldin, of Norman, is an adjunct professor at Oklahoma City University.