OKLAHOMA CITY — A state lawmaker wants to take yet another look at the Oklahoma’s initiative petition process.
Outlined in the Oklahoma Constitution the state’s Initiative and Referendum Process allows residents to submit proposals for laws and constitutional amendments directly to the public for a vote.
The process has been used since statehood.
Last week state Rep. Mickey Dollens (D-Oklahoma City) said he would host an interim study to “examine attempts to undermine the citizen-led ballot initiative petition process.” Dollens issued a media statement saying he plans to create an opportunity for experts, stakeholders and concerned citizens to come together and examine the importance and the need to protect the initiative petition process.
“The initiative petition process is a cornerstone of our democracy, enabling everyday citizens to change the law,” Dollens said. “We must safeguard this process and ensure it remains accessible and fair for all Oklahomans.”
Throughout the state’s history, hundreds of constitutional amendments and statutes have been proposed through the initiative and referendum process, including at least four state questions – one proposed by then-Governor Charles Haskell and later thrown out by the Oklahoma Supreme Court – to move the State Capitol from Guthrie to Oklahoma City, a proposal that would have amended the constitution by preventing the resubmission of failed state questions, a 1916 state question that would have given Oklahoma women the right to vote, another state questions that would have attempted to overturn the federal amendment to the U.S. Constitution on women’s suffrage, a 1924 proposal that would have required journalists to be licensed and required the management of each newspaper to preserve an original since manuscript of every article and headline and outlines procedures to remove journalists from their jobs and a 1948 petition to recognize the Progressive Party of Oklahoma.
Other initiative petitions – which were successful – amended the Constitution to require a public vote on all future tax increases, two questions that dramatically changed the state’s criminal justice system and proposals that legalized parimutuel gambling and the use of medical marijuana.
Dollens said initiative petitions allow voters to implement policies when the Legislature fails to act.
However, this process is under attack in many states, including Oklahoma, he said. Dollens said Republican lawmakers across the U.S. continue to file legislation that would have made it near impossible to pass popular state questions regarding Medicaid expansion, medical marijuana, and criminal justice reform.
“Our study aims to shed light on the current state of the initiative petition process, explore potential areas for improvement, and address the concerning trend of legislation that seeks to mute the voices of voters,” Dollens said. “We must ensure that our democratic processes are preserved and strengthened.”
Oklahoma is one of 24 states that allow citizens to initiate legislation through the petition process. Oklahoma has a single-subject rule for both initiated statutes and constitutional amendments.