Several bills have been filed this session that would make it harder for citizens to get a measure passed through initiative petition. Some proposals would increase the majority requirement to pass a state question (House Joint Resolution 1004, HJR 1058, HJR 1059) while others would require that the signature threshold be met in every Congressional district (HJR 1039) or county (HJR 1002).
State questions are an important avenue to address problems that have not been solved by the legislature. From Medicaid expansion to criminal justice reform, voters have used initiative petitions to solve some of Oklahoma’s most pressing problems.
Please email House Speaker Charles McCall and House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols today and ask them not to bring up for a vote any bill that would make it harder to pass a state question. You can also contact your individual Representative using this Find My Legislator tool.
- We should be increasing citizen access to government, not creating more barriers in this process.
- Oklahoma has one of the highest signature thresholds and one of the shortest circulation periods compared to other states.
- Legislators should be using citizen-led initiatives to learn about the concerns of voters and as a guide for policy solutions.
Please email Oklahoma House leaders today and ask them not to bring up for a vote any bill that would make it harder to pass a state question.
