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Signature requirements for ballot measures in Oklahoma
This page provides an overview of signature requirements for statewide citizen-initiated measures in Oklahoma. In Oklahoma, citizens can initiate three types of ballot measures—constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums.
Signature requirements
In Oklahoma, the number of signatures needed to place a measure on the ballot is based on the total number of votes cast for the governor in the preceding election.
The following are the requirements for the types of citizen-initiated measures in Oklahoma:
- initiated constitutional amendment (ICA): 15% of the votes cast for governor
- initiated state statute (ISS): 8% of the votes cast for governor
- veto referendum (VR): 5% of the votes cast for governor
Oklahoma requires that, to be certified for the ballot within three years following a defeat, voter-rejected ballot initiatives must gather signatures equal to 25% of the votes cast for governor.
Before 2011, the signature requirement was based on the votes cast for the office that received the most votes in the state’s last general election. In 2010, voters approved State Question 750, which changed the requirement to be based on turnout at gubernatorial elections.
The chart below shows election years and the signature requirement for initiatives designed to appear on the ballot in that year, with gubernatorial years bolded.
| Year | Amendment | Statute | Veto referendum |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 172,993 | 92,263 | 57,664 |
| 2024 | 172,993 | 92,263 | 57,664 |
| 2022 | 177,958 | 94,911 | 59,320 |
| 2020 | 177,958 | 94,911 | 59,320 |
| 2018 | 123,725 | 65,987 | 41,242 |
| 2016 | 123,725 | 65,987 | 41,242 |
| 2014 | 155,216 | 82,782 | 51,739 |
| 2012 | 155,216 | 82,782 | 51,739 |
| 2010 | 219,400 | 117,013 | 73,134 |
| 2008 | 138,970 | 74,117 | 46,324 |
See law: Oklahoma Constitution, Article V, Section 2 & Section 6
Changes in number of signatures
The following chart shows the change in the number of required signatures for Oklahoma ballot initiatives from 2008 to 2026.
Basis for calculation
In Oklahoma, the number of signatures needed to place a measure on the ballot is based on the total number of votes cast for the governor in the preceding election. The following numbers of votes were cast for the office of governor in each year listed:
| Year | Votes cast for governor |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1,153,284 |
| 2018 | 1,186,385 |
| 2014 | 824,831 |
| 2010 | 1,034,767 |
Before 2011, the signature requirement was based on the votes cast for the office that received the most votes in the state’s last general election. In 2010, voters approved State Question 750, which changed the requirement to be based on turnout at gubernatorial elections.
Distribution requirement
Oklahoma requires that no single county can provide more than a set percentage of the total required signatures. The exact percentage cap depends on the type of initiative:
- For initiated state statutes and veto referendums, no more than 11.5% of the required signatures may come from any single county, based on that county’s total votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election.
- For initiated constitutional amendments, no more than 20.8% of the required signatures may come from any single county, based on that county’s total votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election.
Signature filing deadlines
In Oklahoma, citizen-initiated ballot measures often appear on general election (even-numbered years) ballots. However, the governor is responsible for issuing an election proclamation for the date and can select a different date.
Signatures for ballot initiatives, including initiated constitutional amendments and initiated state statutes, must be submitted in advance of the proclamation deadline, which is 70 days before the election. However, signatures must be filed within 90 days after the secretary of state's office approves petitions for circulation.
Signatures for veto referendums must be filed within 90 days of the adjournment of the legislative session of the Oklahoma State Legislature that enacted the targeted legislation.
The following are certification deadlines. Oklahoma does not set fixed signature submission deadlines beyond those assigned to each individual initiative.
| Year | Deadline |
|---|---|
| 2026 | August 25, 2026 |
| 2024 | August 26, 2024 |
| 2022 | August 30, 2022 |
| 2020 | August 25, 2020 |
| 2018 | August 28, 2018 |
| 2016 | August 30, 2016 |
| 2014 | August 26, 2014 |
| 2012 | August 28, 2012 |
See also
- Ballot access requirements for political candidates in Oklahoma
- Laws governing the initiative process in Oklahoma
- States where signature requirements are based on votes cast for governor
External links
Footnotes
