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Types of ballot measures in Oklahoma
 |
| Initiated |
| • Initiated constitutional amendment |
| • Initiated state statute |
| • Veto referendum |
| Legislative |
| • Legislative constitutional amendment |
| • Legislative state statute |
| • Legislative bond issue |
| • Advisory question |
| Other |
| • Automatic ballot referral |
| • Commission-referred measure |
| • Convention-referred amendment |
| Select a state from the menu below to learn more about that state's types of ballot measures. |
In Oklahoma, statewide ballot measures can be citizen-initiated. The Oklahoma State Legislature can also vote to refer measures to the ballot. This page provides an overview of the different types of ballot measures that can appear on state ballots in Oklahoma.
The types of state ballot measures in Oklahoma are:
- Initiated constitutional amendments
- Initiated state statutes
- Veto referendums
- Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
- Legislatively referred state statutes
- Constitutional convention questions
Citizen-initiated ballot measures
In Oklahoma, citizens have the power to initiate constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums. These powers were established with the adoption of the state's constitution in 1907.
Initiated constitutional amendments
- See also: Initiated constitutional amendment
An initiated constitutional amendment is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends a state's constitution. Eighteen (18) states allow citizens to initiate constitutional amendments.
In Oklahoma, the number of signatures required for an initiated constitutional amendment is equal to 15% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Initiated state statutes
- See also: Indirect initiated state statute
An initiated state statute is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that amends state statute. There are 21 states that allow citizens to initiate state statutes, including 14 that provide for direct initiatives and nine (9) that provide for indirect initiatives (two provide for both). An indirect initiated state statute goes to the legislature after a successful signature drive. The legislatures in these states have the option of approving the initiative itself, rather than the initiative appearing on the ballot.
In Oklahoma, the number of signatures required for an initiated state statute is equal to 8% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Veto referendums
- See also: Veto referendum
A veto referendum is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law. This type of ballot measure is also called statute referendum, popular referendum, people's veto, or citizen's veto. There are 23 states that allow citizens to initiate veto referendums.
In Oklahoma, the number of signatures required for a veto referendum is equal to 5% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Signatures for veto referendums are due 90 days following the final adjournment of the legislative session at which the targeted bill was passed. A simple majority vote is required for voter approval.
Legislative referrals
Legislatively referred constitutional amendments
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Oklahoma State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 51 votes in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Oklahoma State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Legislatively referred state statutes
- See also: Legislatively referred state statute
A simple majority vote is required during one legislative session for the Oklahoma State Legislature to place a state statute on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 51 votes in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and 24 votes in the Oklahoma State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Statutes require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot. 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.
Constitutional convention questions
- See also: Constitutional convention question
According to Section 2 of Article XXIV of the Oklahoma Constitution, a question about whether to hold a state constitutional convention is to automatically appear on the state's ballot every 20 years. Oklahoma is one of 14 states that provides for an automatic constitutional convention question. However, the last time Oklahomans voted on such a question was in 1970.[1] According to the State Constitutional Convention Clearinghouse, "Since 1970, Oklahoma’s legislature has refused to follow its Constitution with regard to this provision. In 1994, it placed a referendum on the ballot to eliminate this requirement, but the people of Oklahoma defeated it. Since 1990, many bills have been introduced to implement this part of the Constitution but none has passed."[2]
Other types of ballot measures
Most ballot measures are placed on the ballot through citizen initiatives or legislative processes. Others are placed on the ballot automatically, by a special commission, or by a state constitutional convention. The following is a list of different types of state ballot measures:
See also
- List of Oklahoma ballot measures
- Laws governing ballot measures in Oklahoma
- Laws governing the initiative process
- States with initiative or referendum
- States without initiative or referendum
- Amending state constitutions
Footnotes
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