Although the council is nonpartisan, six of the nine members are associated with the Republican Party.

On May 1, 1889, ten days after the founding of the city, an election was held that selected the first mayor, William James Gault, and two wards were established.

The townsite of 5,000 residents was incorporated on July 15, 1890 as the Village of Oklahoma City by commissioners of County Two.

The Oklahoma City Council held their first meeting on July 22, 1890 and passed Ordinance No.

[10] On April 9, 2019, James Cooper became the first openly-gay man, and also the first person of color outside of Ward 7, to serve on the council.