OKPOLICY.ORG
About the listening sessions
Each year, Oklahoma Policy Institute and Together Oklahoma hold listening sessions across the state, giving residents opportunities to share their experiences and discuss the issues affecting their communities. In 2026, sessions took place in Lawton, Ardmore, Tulsa, McAlester, Tahlequah, Ada, Chickasha, and Oklahoma City, bringing together Oklahomans from urban, suburban, and rural communities. Alongside these conversations, a statewide survey of 498 respondents provided additional data on the challenges residents face and the issues they consider most important.
Executive summary
This report shares what Oklahomans told us about their communities, their challenges, and their hopes for the future. Through the 2026 listening sessions and statewide survey, we gathered both stories and data that highlight where people feel the greatest strain and what changes they most want to see from policymakers. The goal is to ensure that the voices of residents — especially those most impacted by economic insecurity, health gaps, and justice system involvement — help shape the policy priorities for the upcoming legislative session.
