If there is an issue that you think should become a law, you don’t have to wait until your state legislature agrees with you. You can let the voters decide by filing a ballot initiative. Your direct action can qualify your measure to be on the ballot in the next statewide election.
Last updated on: September 15, 2020
The following is a brief overview of the ballot initiative process in Oklahoma. Individuals registered to vote in the state of Oklahoma can enact and propose laws through the initiative process.
Filing a Ballot Initiative
Advocates for the initiative must start by drafting a petition pamphlet, ballot title, and notifying the Secretary of State of the expected filing date.
You’ll then need to file the proposed initiative with the Secretay of state and the Attorney General. The Secretary of state will assign a State Question and Petition number and filing the initiative to the Governor and Election Board.
In the state of Oklahoma, citizens may file a protest to the Oklahoma Supreme Court. This protest must be in response to the constitutionality of the proposed initiative. The Oklahoma Supreme Court will then hold a hearing in response to any protests filed.
Petitioning
The Secretary of State then provides a date for circulations to begin. Signature requirements for petitions are based on the votes cast for governor in the last general election (Initiative it’s 8% and Initiative for Constitutional Change it’s 15%).
The Vote
If your initiative meets the valid signature requirements and is certified, the Secretary of State files the initiative with the Supreme Court.
Then, the Governor will publish a proclamation with the initiative summary, along with a date for voting. Voting for the initiative could happen in the next regular election or a special election can be called.
Get in contact with us today to begin the ballot initiative process in Oklahoma.