Oklahoma 2023 ballot measures
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In Oklahoma, one statewide ballot measure was certified for the ballot for the election on March 7, 2023.
Want to learn more about ballot measures in other states in 2023?
- You can find a list of 2023's certified statewide ballot measures here.
- You can find a list of 2023's certified local ballot measures here.
- Here is a list of bills and resolutions passed passed in 2023 to change the laws governing ballot measures.
On the ballot
| Type | Title | Subject | Description | Result | Yes Votes | No Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| State Question 820 | Marijuana | Legalize marijuana in Oklahoma |
|
217,078 (38%) |
349,284 (62%) |
Getting measures on the ballot
See also: Laws governing ballot measures in Oklahoma
Initiatives and referendums
Oklahoma has processes for initiated constitutional amendments, initiated state statutes, and veto referendums, making it one of 26 states in which statewide ballot measures can qualify for the ballot through a signature petition.
Signature requirements
The number of signatures required to qualify initiatives and veto referendums for the ballot is tied to the total votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election. For a signature petition to initiate a constitutional amendment, valid signatures must equal 15% of votes cast for governor in the last gubernatorial election. For initiated state statutes, the requirement is 8% and for veto referendums, the requirement is 5%. Oklahoma held an election for governor on November 8, 2022.
Signature deadlines
Once an initiative petition is filed, protests may be filed challenging the sufficiency of the petition within 10 days after the notice of filing is published. The Secretary of State sets the date for signature collection to begin at least 15 days (but no more than 30 days) after any/all protests challenging the petition have been resolved. Initiatives can be circulated for a maximum of 90 days; with signatures being due by 5:00 p.m. local time on the 90th day. State elections officials in Oklahoma recommend filing a proposed initiative during the first months of the year preceding the targeted election year due to the two periods during which challenges may be filed against an initiative. For a measure to appear on the ballot, signatures must be submitted long enough in advance for the governor to issue an election proclamation, which must be issued and certified to the State Election Board at least 70 days prior to an election.[1]
Signature verification
Once signatures are submitted, the Secretary of State's office counts the signatures and submits a report to the state supreme court, which determines the sufficiency of the signatures counted by the Secretary of State. After the supreme court determines the sufficiency of signatures, the court orders the Secretary of State to publish a notice of the signature submission, the ballot title, and notice that any citizen may file a petition with the supreme court challenging the sufficiency of the signatures or ballot title within 10 days.[1]
After the petition is found to have sufficient signatures and all challenges have been resolved, the Secretary of State notifies the governor, who issues an election proclamation. The governor’s election proclamation must be issued and certified to the State Election Board at least 70 days prior to an election in order for a state question to appear on a ballot. Measures are generally placed on the next general election ballot, but the governor may call a special election or place the measure on the primary ballot.[1]
Legislative referrals
The state legislature can also put statewide measures on the ballot. Proposed constitutional amendments must be referred to the ballot and receive voter approval to be enacted. To put a proposed constitutional amendment on a general election ballot, a simple majority vote of all members in both the Oklahoma State Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives is required. If the legislature wants a proposed amendment to go on a special election ballot, it has to approve the amendment by a two-thirds (66.67%) vote.
The legislature can also refer state statutes to the ballot. In some cases, voter approval is required. For example, bills that raise revenue must pass in both the House and Senate with at least a three-fourths supermajority to be enacted without voter approval; if a revenue increasing bill passes by more a simple majority but less than a three-fourths supermajority, they must be referred to the ballot.
Historical facts
In Oklahoma, a total of 139 ballot measures appeared on statewide ballots between 1985 and 2020. One hundred five ballot measures were approved, and 34 ballot measures were defeated.
| Oklahoma statewide ballot measures, 1985-2020 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total number | Annual average | Annual minimum | Annual maximum | Approved | Defeated | ||
| # | % | # | % | ||||
Ballot initiative certification rates
The following table shows the rate of certification for ballot initiatives in Oklahoma between 2010 and 2020:
| Oklahoma statewide ballot initiatives filed and certified, 2010-2020 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Ballot initiatives filed | Certified | |
| # | % | ||
| Averages | |||
State profile
| Demographic data for Oklahoma | ||
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 3,907,414 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 68,595 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 73.1% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 7.2% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 1.9% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 7.3% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0.1% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 7.8% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 9.6% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 86.9% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 24.1% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $46,879 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 19.7% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Oklahoma. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Oklahoma
Oklahoma voted Republican in all six presidential elections between 2000 and 2020.
More Oklahoma coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Oklahoma
- United States congressional delegations from Oklahoma
- Public policy in Oklahoma
- Influencers in Oklahoma
- Oklahoma fact checks
- More...
See also
- 2023 ballot measures
- Oklahoma signature requirements
- Laws governing the initiative process in Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Legislature
Footnotes
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