Ok. Const. art. VIIB, § 2 — Article VIIB / Section 2
OK Const., Article VIIB, Section 2
Status: in_force

(a) There is established as a part of the Judicial Department a Judicial Nominating Commission of thirteen (13) members, to consist of: (1) six (6) members to be appointed by the Governor, one (1) from each congressional district established by the Statutes of Oklahoma and existing at the date of the adoption of this Article, none of whom shall be admitted to practice law in the State of Oklahoma; (2) six (6) members, one (1) from each congressional district established by the Statutes of Oklahoma and existing at the date of the adoption of this Article who are, however, members of the Oklahoma Bar Association and who have been elected by the other active members of their district under procedures adopted by the Board of Governors of the Oklahoma Bar Association, until changed by statute; and (3) one (1) member at large who shall not have been admitted to the practice of law in the State of Oklahoma or any other State, but who shall be a resident of the State of Oklahoma, to be selected by not less than eight (8) members of the Nominating Commission. In the event eight (8) members of the Commission cannot agree upon the member at large within thirty (30) days of the initial organization of the Commission or within thirty (30) days of a vacancy in the member at large position, the Governor shall make the appointment of the member at large. The Commission shall elect one of its members to serve as Chairman for a term of one (1) year. The six (6) lay members of the Commission who are appointed by the Governor shall be appointed within ninety (90) days from the date that this Article becomes effective. Two (2) members shall be appointed for a term of two (2) years, two (2) members for a term of four (4) years, and two (2) members for a term of six (6) years. The Oklahoma Bar Association shall hold its election and certify to the Secretary of State its members within ninety (90) days from the effective date of this Article, two (2) of whom shall be elected for a term of two (2) years, two (2) for a term of four (4) years, and two (2) for a term of six (6) years. Thereafter all of the members of the Commission, whether elected or appointed, shall serve for a term of six (6) years, except that the member at large shall serve for a term of two (2) years. (b) Vacancies arising during the term of any lay commissioner, other than the member at large, shall be filled by appointment by the Governor for the remainder of his term. Vacancies of any lawyer commissioner shall be filled by the Board of Governors of the Oklahoma Bar Association for the remainder of his term. (c) In the event of vacancy in the member at large position, the said vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original selection. (d) Of those Commissioners named by the Governor, not more than three (3) shall belong to any one political party. (e) The concurrence of the majority of Commissioners in office at the time shall be sufficient to decide any question, unless otherwise provided herein. The Commission shall have jurisdiction to determine whether the qualifications of nominees to hold Judicial Office have been met and to determine the existence of vacancies on the Commission. (f) No Commissioner, while a member of the Commission, shall hold any other public office by election or appointment or any official position in a political party and he shall not be eligible, while a member of the Commission and for five (5) years thereafter, for nomination as a Judicial Officer. (g) Commissioners shall serve without compensation but the Legislature shall provide funds to reimburse them for their necessary travel and lodging expenses while performing their duties as such Commissioners. (h) No Commissioner shall be permitted to succeed himself. (i) As used herein, the words "Oklahoma Bar Association" shall include any successor thereof and any future form of the organized Bar of this State.