On January 19, Oklahoma State Senator David Holt (R-Oklahoma City) introduced two bills to ease ballot access for new and minor parties, as well as a bill to make it easier for initiatives to get on the ballot. Senator Holt has consistently been a leader in the Oklahoma State Senate, holding many leadership posts over the last few sessions.

SB 350 makes it easier for a party to remain on the ballot. Current law requires 2.5% of the last vote for the office at the top of the ticket (either Governor or president, every two years). The bill would change to vote test to 2.5% for any statewide office, at either of the last two elections.

In the past, between 1924 and 1974, the Oklahoma vote test was 5% for any statewide race at either of the last two elections.

SB 351 changes the petition requirement for independent presidential candidates, and the presidential nominees of unqualified parties, from 3% of the last presidential vote, to either 5,000 signatures or $5,000.

SJR 18 lowers the petition for initiatives that change ordinary laws from 8% of the last gubernatorial vote, to 2%. If passed, that would give Oklahoma the lowest statewide initiative procedure of any state. Currently, Massachusetts’ 3% of the last gubernatorial vote is the lowest of any state. SJR 18 also lowers the petition for initiatives to change the State Constitution from 15% of the last gubernatorial vote, to 10%. Thanks to E. Zachary Knight for this news.