NORMAN — A quirk in Oklahoma's voter registration laws allowed a Senate candidate to run on the Republican ballot, even though she registered with the Democratic Party before filing for office.

Becki Maldonado is the Republican nominee for Senate District 16, which covers parts of Norman and rural Cleveland County.

The lifelong Republican joined the Democratic Party during the first week of the teacher walkout in April, several days before she filed for office. Her new registration was put on hold because of Oklahoma's party change blackout period, however, meaning it wouldn't take effect until Sept. 1. Because of the delay, she appeared on the Republican primary ballot.

After her Democratic Party registration became active last week, she re-registered with the GOP and will officially be a Republican again for the November general election.