On February 13, Oklahoma SB 668 passed the Senate Rules Committee. It changes the number of signatures needed for a newly-qualifying party for midterm years from 66,744 signatures to 51,739 signatures. It has no effect on the number of signatures needed in presidential election years.

It also provides that if there is a dispute on who has authority to act for a newly-qualifying party, the Secretary of the State Election Board has the authority to make a decision, although the amendment gives very little guidance as to how the Secretary is to decide. It says he or she should, “if possible, consult with the party’s national chair or executive committee”. This amendment seems to be a reaction to last year’s experience with Americans Elect, when state election officials arbitrarily ignored the wishes of the party’s state officers and instead deferred to the wishes of the national party leaders, even though under Oklahoma law, presidential elector candidates are chosen by state party meetings.