Oklahoma State Question 662, U.S. Congressional Term Limits Initiative (September 1994)

Oklahoma State Question 662
Election date September 20, 1994
Topic Federal government issues
Status Overturned
Type Initiated constitutional amendment	Origin Citizens

Oklahoma State Question 662 was on the ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment in Oklahoma on September 20, 1994. Voters approved the ballot measure, which the U.S. Supreme Court later ruled violated the U.S. Constitution.

A "yes" vote supported amending the Oklahoma State Constitution to limit United States Representatives from Oklahoma to 3 terms, United States Senators to 2 terms, and combined service to 18 years, exempting prior terms and appointments to vacant terms.

A "no" vote opposed amending the Oklahoma State Constitution to limit United States Representatives from Oklahoma to 3 terms, United States Senators to 2 terms, and combined service to 18 years, exempting prior terms and appointments to vacant terms.

Aftermath

The amendment, along with similar measures in other states, was later struck down as unconstitutional by a 5-4 vote of the United States Supreme Court.

Election results

Oklahoma State Question 662
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		329,154	66.52%
No		165,663	33.48%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for State Question 662 was as follows:

“

This measure adds a new section to Article 2 of the Oklahoma Constitution. This measure would place the following limits on the terms of United States Representatives and Senators from Oklahoma: no Representative could serve more than three (3) two-year terms; no Senator could serve more than two (2) six-year terms; and  no person would be able to serve more than six (6) years as a Representative and twelve (12) years as a Senator for a total of eighteen (18) years of service. Terms begun by a United States Representative or Senator from Oklahoma prior to this measure's passage would not be counted in calculating term limits. This measure would not apply to persons appointed to complete a vacant term. This measure would not prohibit the casting or counting of write-in ballots. This measure would not prohibit write-in campaigns that are allowed by law. Unless similar measures are approved in other states, their United States Representatives and Senators could serve longer terms than Oklahoma's Representatives or Senators. Shall this proposal be approved by the people?

”

Path to the ballot

See also: Signature requirements for ballot measures in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment was equal to 15% of the votes cast in the last general election. In 2010, voters approved State Question 750, which changed the signature requirement to be based on the preceding gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.

See also

1994 Measures

• 1994 Measures
• Federal government issues on the ballot
• 1994 legislative sessions

Oklahoma

• Oklahoma ballot measures
• Oklahoma ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls

External links

• Oklahoma State Questions