Voting from Home in Oklahoma

As we move closer to our next election, voters in Oklahoma are exploring their options for voting safely, a process that has been changing quickly this month. On May 4th the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled in a case eliminating the need for absentee ballots to be notarized (City Sentinel).  However the state legislature quickly passed legislation reinstating it the same week. The Hill and The Fulcrum provide articles explaining that process and timeline. This back and forth between courts and legislatures is a key feature of the United States' governmental system of checks and balances. When a court reviews a law such as this one and determines that it is unconstitutional, the decision is based on the wording of the law presented. Legislature may then try to accomplish the same or a similar goal by passing legislation that contains different wording and hopefully corrects the aspect deemed unconstitutional. This article reviews the new language regarding notarized absentee ballots in Oklahoma and the exceptions provide for when a state of emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic or a local quarantine of a facility is declared. This revision can then be challenged in court if an individual or group is not satisfied that it fits within the state constitution.  This back and forth helps provide protection and clarity in our state laws.

The information on the Oklahoma State Election Board site regarding absentee voting is correct and you can find details on options to submit your notorized ballot. Be aware that notaries are also given restrictions on what they may do to assist you with voting including not offering any assistance in obtaining a ballot or submitting it and the number of ballots they can notarize.  For a complete list of these restrictions see Oklahoma Supreme Court Network to view Title 26. Section 14-108.1.

To read the legislation and decisions:

Oklahoma State Legislature to find legislation, track bills

              Find Legislation box: enter SB210 or SB1779

              See History, Amendments, Bill Summary, Versions, Votes, Co-authors

Oklahoma Supreme Court Network:

See Decisions for Oklahoma Supreme Court Decisions

              See Legal Research for the Electronic Law Library for Oklahoma

For General voting information see USA.gov

Oklahoma State University Library's Goverment Documents (http://info.library.okstate.edu/states) provides additional links to Oklahoma Government Resources.