Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-24 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-24
Only substantial compliance required
Status: in_force

The procedure herein prescribed is not mandatory, but if

substantially followed will be sufficient. If the end aimed at can

be attained and procedure shall be sustained, clerical and mere

technical errors shall be disregarded.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-12 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-12
Proclamation by Governor
Status: in_force

When an initiative or referendum petition has been properly

filed with sufficient signatures thereon, as provided in this title,

and all objections or protests have been resolved or the period for

filing such has expired, the Secretary of State shall, in writing,

notify the Governor, who shall issue a proclamation setting forth

the substance of the measure and the date on which the vote will be

held.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-8v1 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-8v1
Filing copy of proposed petition and ballot title -
Status: in_force

Publication - Protest - Hearing and determination – Deadlines.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 34. Initiative and Referendum Page 7

A. When a citizen or citizens desire to circulate a petition

initiating a proposition of any nature, whether to become a statute

law or an amendment to the Constitution, or for the purpose of

invoking a referendum upon legislative enactments, such citizen or

citizens shall, when such petition is prepared, and before the same

is circulated or signed by electors, file a true and exact copy of

same in the office of the Secretary of State and shall at the same

time file a separate ballot title, which shall not be part of or

printed on the petition. The Secretary may charge a filing fee not

to exceed Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00) to cover the cost of

publication of notice as required by subsection B of this section.

B. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to cause to

be published on the website of the Office of the Secretary of State

and in at least one newspaper of general circulation in the state, a

notice of such filing and the apparent sufficiency or insufficiency

of the petition and shall include notice that any citizen or

citizens of the state may file a protest as to the constitutionality

of the petition, by a written notice to the Supreme Court and to the

proponent or proponents filing the petition. Notice of such filing

shall be provided to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the

Speaker of the House of Representatives. Any such protest must be

filed within twenty (20) business days after publication. A copy of

the protest shall be filed with the Secretary of State.

C. Upon the filing of a protest to the petition, the Supreme

Court shall then fix a day, not less than ten (10) business days

thereafter, at which time it will hear testimony and arguments for

and against the sufficiency of such petition.

D. A protest filed by anyone hereunder may, if abandoned by the

party filing same, be revived within five (5) business days by any

other citizen. After such hearing the Supreme Court shall decide

whether such petition is in the form required by the statutes. If

the Court is at the time adjourned, the Chief Justice shall

immediately convene the same for such hearing. No objection to the

sufficiency shall be considered unless it has been made and filed as

herein provided.

E. Signature-gathering Deadline for Initiative Petitions. When

an initiative petition has been filed in the office of the Secretary

of State and all appeals, protests and rehearings have been resolved

or the period for such has expired, the Secretary of State shall set

the date for circulation of signatures for the petition to begin but

in no event shall the date be less than fifteen (15) days nor more

than thirty (30) days from the date when all appeals, protests and

rehearings have been resolved or have expired. Notification shall

be sent to the proponents specifying the date on which circulation

of the petition shall begin and that the signatures are due within

ninety (90) days of the date set. Each elector shall sign his or

her name and legibly print his or her name, birth date and address

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 34. Initiative and Referendum Page 8

associated with his or her Oklahoma voter registration record. Any

petition not filed in accordance with this provision shall not be

considered. The proponents of an initiative petition, any time

before the final submission of signatures, may withdraw the

initiative petition upon written notification to the Secretary of

State.

F. Signature-gathering Deadline for Referendum Petitions. All

signed signatures supporting a referendum petition shall be filed

with the Secretary of State not later than ninety (90) days after

the adjournment of the legislative session in which the measure,

which is the subject of the referendum petition, was enacted.

G. The proponents of a referendum or an initiative petition may

terminate the circulation period any time during the ninety-day

circulation period by certifying to the Secretary of State that:

1. All signed petitions have already been filed with the

Secretary of State;

2. No more petitions are in circulation; and

3. The proponents will not circulate any more petitions.

If the Secretary of State receives such a certification from the

proponents, the Secretary of State shall begin the counting and

review process.

H. When the signed copies of a petition pamphlet are timely

filed, the Secretary of State shall file a copy of the proponent’s

ballot title with the Attorney General and after conducting a count

and review of the filed, signed petition pamphlets, the Secretary of

State shall certify to the Supreme Court of the state:

1. The total number of signatures counted pursuant to

procedures set forth in this title; and

2. The total number of votes cast for the state office

receiving the highest number of votes cast at the last general

election.

The Supreme Court shall make the determination of the numerical

sufficiency or insufficiency of the signatures counted and reviewed

by the Secretary of State.

I. Upon order of the Supreme Court it shall be the duty of the

Secretary of State to forthwith cause to be published, in at least

one newspaper of general circulation in the state, a notice of the

filing of the signed petitions and the apparent sufficiency or

insufficiency thereof, and shall also publish the text of the ballot

title as reviewed and approved or, if applicable, as rewritten by

the Attorney General pursuant to the provisions of subsection D of

Section 9 of this title and notice that any citizen or citizens of

the state may file an objection to the count made by the Secretary

of State, by a written notice to the Supreme Court and to the

proponent or proponents filing the petition. Any such objection

must be filed within twenty (20) business days after publication and

must relate only to the validity or number of the signatures or a

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 34. Initiative and Referendum Page 9

challenge to the ballot title. A copy of the objection to the count

or ballot title shall be filed with the Supreme Court, the Attorney

General and the Secretary of State.

J. Upon appeal and if ordered or directed by the Supreme Court,

the Secretary of State shall deliver the bound volumes of signatures

to the Supreme Court.

K. Upon the filing of an objection to the signature count or

ballot title, the Supreme Court shall resolve the objection with

dispatch. The Supreme Court shall adopt rules to govern proceedings

to apply to the challenge of a measure on the grounds that the

proponents failed to gather sufficient signatures.

L. If in the opinion of the Supreme Court, any objection to the

count or protest to the petition is frivolous, the Court may impose

appropriate sanctions including an award of costs and attorney fees

to either party as the Court deems equitable.

M. Whenever reference is made in this act to the Supreme Court,

such reference shall include the members of the Supreme Court or any

officer constitutionally designated to perform the duties herein

prescribed.

R.L. 1910, § 3375. Amended by Laws 1910-11, c. 107, p. 235, § 1,

emerg. eff. March 18, 1911; Laws 1961, p. 265, § 5, emerg. eff. May

17, 1961; Laws 1970, c. 185, § 2, emerg. eff. April 13, 1970; Laws

1973, c. 78, § 1, emerg. eff. April 30, 1973; Laws 1992, c. 92, § 7,

eff. Sept. 1, 1992; Laws 2009, c. 318, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2009; Laws

2015, c. 193, § 4, emerg. eff. April 28, 2015; Laws 2020, c. 125, §

8, eff. Nov. 1, 2020; Laws 2024, c. 119, § 3, emerg. eff. April 23,

2024.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-3.2 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-3.2
Participants in the Address Confidentiality Program
Status: in_force

Registered voters signing an initiative or referendum petition

who are certified by the Office of the Attorney General as

participants in the Address Confidentiality Program established by

Section 60.14 of Title 22 of the Oklahoma Statutes may use the

address given to the registered voter by the Office of the Attorney

General to sign an initiative or referendum petition.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-10 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-10
Appeal upon question of ballot title
Status: in_force

A. Any person who is dissatisfied with the wording of a ballot

title may, within ten (10) business days after the same is published

by the Secretary of State as provided for in subsection I of Section

8 of this title, appeal to the Supreme Court by petition in which

shall be offered a substitute ballot title for the one from which

the appeal is taken. Upon the hearing of such appeal, the court may

correct or amend the ballot title before the court, or accept the

substitute suggested, or may draft a new one which will conform to

the provisions of Section 9 of this title.

B. No such appeal shall be allowed as to the ballot title of

constitutional and legislative enactments proposed by the

Legislature.

R.L. 1910, § 3377. Amended by Laws 1975, c. 263, § 2, emerg. eff.

June 4, 1975; Laws 1985, c. 192, § 2; Laws 2009, c. 318, § 3, eff.

Nov. 1, 2009; Laws 2015, c. 193, § 6, emerg. eff. April 28, 2015.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-6.1 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-6.1
Physical count of signatures - Signatures not included
Status: in_force

A. The Secretary of State shall make or cause to be made a

verification and count of the number of signatures on the petitions.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 34. Initiative and Referendum Page 6

In making such count, the Secretary of State shall not include in

such total count:

1. All signatures on any sheet of any petition which is not

verified by the person who circulated the sheet of the petition as

provided in Section 6 of this title;

2. All signatures of nonresidents;

3. All signatures on a sheet that is not attached to a copy of

the petition pamphlet;

4. All multiple signatures on any printed signature line;

5. All signatures not on a printed signature line;

6. Those signatures by a person who signs with any name other

than his or her own or signs more than once;

7. All signatures on any sheet on which a notary has failed to

sign, the seal of the notary is absent, the commission of the notary

has expired or the expiration date is not on the signature sheet;

and

8. Any signatures that cannot be verified by the Secretary of

State with the Oklahoma State Election Board's public voter

registration records.

B. The Secretary of State shall notify the Attorney General of

any and all violations of this title of which he or she has

knowledge.

C. The Secretary of State may purchase any tangible or

intangible assets, including, but not limited to, software,

necessary to carry out his or her duties pursuant to this section.

Such purchases shall be exempt from the requirements of the Oklahoma

Central Purchasing Act.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-9 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-9
Filing - Ballot title - Official ballot title - Review by
Status: in_force

Attorney General - Appeal.

A. When a referendum is ordered by petition of the people

against any measure passed by the Legislature or when any measure is

proposed by initiative petition, whether as an amendment to the

Oklahoma Constitution or as a statute, it shall be the duty of the

parties submitting the measure to prepare and file one copy of the

measure with the Secretary of State and one copy with the Attorney

General.

B. The parties submitting the measure shall also submit a

suggested ballot title to the Secretary of State which shall be

filed on a separate sheet of paper and shall not be part of or

printed on the petition. The suggested ballot title:

1. Shall not exceed two hundred words, or three hundred words

if the proposed measure will have a fiscal impact on the state;

2. Shall explain in basic words, which can be easily found in

dictionaries of general usage, the effect of the proposition;

3. Shall not contain any words which have a special meaning for

a particular profession or trade not commonly known to the citizens

of this state;

4. Shall not contain euphemisms, words, or phrases regarded in

popular parlance as code words, or an apparent attempt to deceive

voters;

5. Shall not reflect partiality in its composition or contain

any argument for or against the measure;

6. Shall contain language which clearly states that a “yes”

vote is a vote in favor of the proposition and a “no” vote is a vote

against the proposition;

7. Shall not contain language whereby a “yes” vote is, in fact,

a vote against the proposition and a “no” vote is, in fact, a vote

in favor of the proposition; and

8. Shall indicate if a proposed measure will have a fiscal

impact on the state and if so, the potential source of funding

including, but not limited to, federal funding or legislative

appropriation which may require imposition of a new tax, increase of

an existing tax, or elimination of existing services.

C. When a measure is proposed as a constitutional amendment by

the Legislature or when the Legislature proposes a statute

conditioned upon approval by the people:

1. After final passage of a measure, the Secretary of State

shall submit the proposed ballot title to the Attorney General for

review as to legal correctness. Within five (5) business days after

receipt from the Secretary of State, the Attorney General shall, in

writing, notify the Secretary of State, the President Pro Tempore of

the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the

principal authors of the bill whether or not the proposed ballot

title complies with applicable laws. The Attorney General shall

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 34. Initiative and Referendum Page 14

state with specificity any and all defects found and, if necessary,

within ten (10) business days of determining that the proposed

ballot title is defective, prepare a preliminary ballot title which

complies with the law and furnish a copy of such ballot title to the

Secretary of State, the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the

Speaker of the House of Representatives and the principal authors of

the bill. The Attorney General may consider any comments made by

the President Pro Tempore of the Senate or the Speaker of the House

of Representatives submitted within five (5) business days of their

being furnished a copy of the preliminary ballot title. The

Attorney General shall respond in writing to the comments and shall

file a final ballot title with the Secretary of State no later than

fifteen (15) business days after furnishing the preliminary ballot

title; and

2. After receipt of the measure and the official ballot title,

as certified by the Attorney General, the Secretary of State shall

within five (5) days transmit to the Secretary of the State Election

Board an attested copy of the measure, including the official ballot

title.

D. The following procedure shall apply to ballot titles of

referendums ordered by a petition of the people or any measure

proposed by an initiative petition:

1. After the filing of the signed referendum petitions or the

signed initiative petitions, the Secretary of State shall submit the

proposed separate ballot title to the Attorney General for review as

to legal correctness. Within five (5) business days after the

receipt of the ballot title, the Attorney General shall, in writing,

notify the Secretary of State whether or not the proposed ballot

title complies with applicable laws. The Attorney General shall

state with specificity any and all defects found and, if necessary,

within ten (10) business days of determining that the proposed

ballot title is defective, prepare and file a ballot title which

complies with the law; and

2. Within ten (10) business days after completion of the review

and, if necessary, the filing of a ballot title in compliance with

law, by the Attorney General, the Secretary of State shall, if no

appeal is filed, transmit to the Secretary of the State Election

Board an attested copy of the measure, including the official ballot

title, and a certification that the requirements of this section

have been met. If an appeal is taken from such ballot title within

the time specified in Section 10 of this title, then the Secretary

of State shall certify to the Secretary of the State Election Board

the ballot title which is finally approved by the Supreme Court.

R.L. 1910, § 3376. Amended by Laws 1939, p. 145, § 1, emerg. eff.

Feb. 24, 1939; Laws 1965, c. 224, § 1, emerg. eff. June 16, 1965;
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-3 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-3
Petitions and signatures
Status: in_force

A. Each initiative petition and each referendum petition shall

be duplicated for the securing of signatures. The Secretary of

State shall design a form, subject to change, for signatures that

shall be used by proponents of initiatives or referendums when

collecting signatures, and each sheet for signatures shall be

attached to a copy of the petition. Each copy of the petition and

sheets for signatures is hereinafter termed a pamphlet. On the

outer page of each pamphlet shall be printed the word “Warning”, and

underneath this in ten-point type the words, “It is a felony for

anyone to sign an initiative or referendum petition with any name

other than his or her own, or knowingly to sign his or her name more

than once for the measure, or to sign such petition when he or she

is not a legal voter of this state.” A statement of the gist of the

proposition shall be printed on the top margin of each signature

sheet and shall:

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 34. Initiative and Referendum Page 3

1. Explain in basic words, which can be easily found in

dictionaries of general usage, the effect of the proposition;

2. Not contain any words which have a special meaning for a

particular profession or trade not commonly known to the citizens of

this state;

3. Not contain euphemisms, words, or phrases regarded in

popular parlance as code words, or an apparent attempt to deceive

voters;

4. Not reflect partiality in its composition or contain any

argument for or against the measure; and

5. Indicate whether a proposed measure will have a fiscal

impact on the state and if so, the potential source of funding

including, but not limited to, federal funding or legislative

appropriation which may require imposition of a new tax, increase of

an existing tax, or elimination of existing services.

B. A statement shall be printed under the gist of the

proposition that provides notice that a copy of the petition and all

signatures on such petition are public records subject to the

Oklahoma Open Records Act.

C. The Secretary of State shall affirm that any gist conforms

with the requirements of this section. The Secretary may remove any

gist that violates the requirements of this section and direct the

proponents of the petition to submit a gist that complies with all

the requirements of this section.

R.L. 1910, § 3370. Amended by Laws 1961, p. 264, § 3, emerg. eff.

May 17, 1961; Laws 1985, c. 288, § 1, emerg. eff. July 23, 1985;
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-11 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-11
Procedure upon appeal
Status: in_force

Notice of the appeal provided for in the preceding section shall

be served upon the Attorney General and upon the party who filed

such ballot title, or on any of such parties, at least five (5)

business days before such appeal is heard by the court. The

Attorney General shall, and any citizen interested may, defend the

ballot title from which the appeal is taken. Other procedure upon

such appeals shall be the same as is prescribed for appeals from

petitions filed as set forth in Section 8 of this title.

R.L. 1910, § 3378. Amended by Laws 1975, c. 263, § 3, emerg. eff.

June 4, 1975; Laws 2015, c. 193, § 7, emerg. eff. April 28, 2015.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-22 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-22
Canvass of returns
Status: in_force

Whenever any measure or proposition is submitted to a vote by

the initiative or referendum, it shall be the duty of the precinct

election board of the precinct to make and transmit to the county

election board the returns thereof in the same manner that they make

their returns in the case of an election of public officers,

transmitting to such county election board a certificate of the

total number of electors voting in such elections; and the county

election board shall keep a record showing such total number of

votes cast in each of such precincts as shown by such returns.

Should the proposition be one covering the state at large, or any

district therein, or be of such other nature as to require it the

county election board shall certify the result of such election to

the State Election Board in the same manner as it certifies the

result of election for public officers, and such county election

board shall transmit to the State Election Board a certificate

showing the total number of votes cast at any such election. It

shall be the duty of the State Election Board to keep a record of

all such election returns made to it under the provisions of this

section.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-5 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-5
Preservation after approval
Status: in_force

A. If any measure shall, at the ensuing election, be approved

by the people, then the copies so preserved, with the sheets of

signatures and affidavits, and a certified copy of the Governor's

proclamation declaring the same to have been approved by the people,

shall be bound together in such form that they may be conveniently

identified. The material required to be bound together shall be

preserved by the Secretary of State for two (2) years after the

measure was filed with the Secretary of State or, if objections or

protests are filed on a measure, for two (2) years after the final

decision of the Supreme Court on any objections or protests filed.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 34. Initiative and Referendum Page 5

Thereafter, the Secretary of State may dispose of the material in

cooperation with the Archives and Records Commission.

B. The Secretary of State may dispose of materials from

measures which were filed prior to this act in cooperation with the

Archives and Records Commission.

C. The Secretary of State shall cause every such measure so

approved by the people to be printed with the general laws enacted

by the next ensuing session of the Legislature with the date of the

Governor's proclamation declaring the same to have been approved by

the people.

R.L. 1910, § 3372; Laws 1992, c. 92, § 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1992.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-18 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-18
Mandamus to compel performance of duty
Status: in_force

In the event any official of this state shall fail or neglect to

prepare or have published the argument and other matter as provided

by law, or to perform any other duty required in connection

therewith, any elector may petition the district court, without cost

to him, where any such officer has his official residence, for a

writ of mandamus to require such officer to perform such duty, and

the district courts of this state are hereby given jurisdiction to

issue writs of mandamus and require performance of such duty as

provided by law.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-1 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-1
Referendum petition - Form - Time for filing
Status: in_force

A. The referendum petition shall be substantially as follows:

PETITION FOR REFERENDUM

To the Honorable ____________, Governor of Oklahoma (or To the

Honorable ____________, Mayor, Chairman of County Commissioners, or

other chief executive officer, as the case may be, of the city,

county or other municipal corporation of ____________):

We, the undersigned legal voters of the State of Oklahoma (or

district of __________, county of ____________, or city of

____________, as the case may be), respectfully order that Senate

(or House) Bill No. __________ (or ordinance No. ____________),

entitled (title of Act, and if the petition is against less than the

whole Act, then set forth here the part or parts on which the

referendum is sought), passed by the ____________ Legislature of the

State of Oklahoma, at the regular (or special) session of said

legislature, shall be referred to the people of the State (district

of ____________, county of ____________, or city of ____________, as

the case may be) for their approval or rejection at the regular (or

special) election to be held on the ________ day of ____________,

20__, and each for himself says: I have personally signed this

petition; I am a legal voter of the State of Oklahoma (and district

of __________, county of ____________, or city of ____________, as

the case may be); the following five data points shall be included

on the form: the voter’s legal first name, legal last name, zip

code, house number and numerical month and day of my birth.

Referendum petitions shall be filed with the Secretary of State

not more than ninety (90) days after the final adjournment of the

session of the legislature which passed the bill on which the

referendum is demanded. (For county, city or other municipality the

length of time shall be thirty (30) days.)

The question we herewith submit to our fellow voters is: Shall

the following bill of the legislature (or ordinance or resolution--

local legislation) be approved? (Insert here an exact copy of the

text of the measure followed by proponents of record (not to exceed

three signatures, complete printed name and address associated with

his or her Oklahoma voter registration record).)

B. In order for the signature to be approved by the Secretary

of State, four or more data points described in subsection A of this

section must be matched to the voter registration file.

R.L. 1910, § 3368. Amended by Laws 1961, p. 263, § 1, emerg. eff.

May 17, 1961; Laws 1992, c. 92, § 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1992; Laws 1994,

c. 147, § 1, emerg. eff. May 3, 1994; Laws 2015, c. 193, § 1, emerg.

eff. April 28, 2015; Laws 2020, c. 125, § 1, eff. Nov. 1, 2020; Laws

2024, c. 119, § 1, emerg. eff. April 23, 2024.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-4 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-4
Filing and binding - Cover sheets - Receipt
Status: in_force

When any such signed initiative or referendum petition pamphlets

shall be offered for filing, the Secretary of State, in the presence

of the person offering the same for filing, shall detach the sheets

containing the signatures and affidavits and cause them all to be

attached to one or more printed copies of the measure so proposed by

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 34. Initiative and Referendum Page 4

initiative or referendum petition. If the aforesaid sheets shall be

too bulky for convenient binding in one volume, they may be bound in

two or more volumes, those in each volume to be attached to a single

printed copy of such measure; the detached copies of such measures

shall be delivered to the person offering the same for filing. Each

of the volumes and each signature sheet therein shall be numbered

consecutively, and a cover sheet shall be attached, showing the

purported number of signature sheets, the series of numbers assigned

to the signature sheets and the total number of signatures counted

per volume. The Secretary of State shall render a signed receipt to

the person offering the petition for filing, which receipt shall

include a report, volume by volume, showing the number of signature

sheets in each volume, the series of numbers assigned to the

signature sheets in each volume, and the number of purported

signatures in each volume. Duplicate copies of the cover sheets,

with necessary corrections, may be used as receipts. If the volume

of signatures is sufficiently large, the Secretary of State shall

seal the petitions in such manner that they cannot be opened unless

the seal is broken, and if requested by those filing said petition,

they shall not be opened before 9:00 a.m. on the day following the

date said petitions are filed and said procedure shall continue

until such time as the Secretary shall be able to receipt the

petitions so filed; but additional signature sheets shall not be

accepted after 5:00 p.m. on the ninetieth day. The Secretary of

State shall not provide any copies of signature sheets to anyone

until the sheets have been bound as provided in this section.

Provided, that whenever reference is made in this act to the

Secretary of State, such reference shall include the Secretary of

State or any officer constitutionally designated to perform the

duties herein prescribed.

R.L. 1910, § 3371. Amended by Laws 1961, p. 265, § 4, emerg. eff.

May 17, 1961; Laws 1970, c. 185, § 1, emerg. eff. April 13, 1970;
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-8v2 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-8v2
Filing copy of proposed petition and ballot title -
Status: in_force

Publication - Protest - Hearing and determination.

A. When a citizen or citizens desire to circulate a petition

initiating a proposition of any nature, whether to become a statute

law or an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution, or for the purpose

of invoking a referendum upon legislative enactments, such citizen

or citizens shall, when such petition is prepared, and before the

same is circulated or signed by electors, file a true and exact copy

of same in the office of the Secretary of State and shall at the

same time file a separate ballot title, which shall not be part of

or printed on the petition.

B. It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State to cause to

be published, in at least one newspaper of general circulation in

the state, a notice of such filing and the apparent sufficiency or

insufficiency of the petition, and shall include notice that any

citizen or citizens of the state may file a protest as to the

constitutionality of the petition, by a written notice to the

Supreme Court and to the proponent or proponents filing the

petition. Any such protest shall be filed within ninety (90) days

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 34. Initiative and Referendum Page 10

after publication. A copy of the protest shall be filed with the

Secretary of State.

C. Upon the filing of a protest to the petition, the Supreme

Court shall then fix a day, not less than ten (10) business days

thereafter, at which time it will hear testimony and arguments for

and against the sufficiency of such petition.

D. A protest filed by anyone hereunder may, if abandoned by the

party filing same, be revived within five (5) business days by any

other citizen. After such hearing the Supreme Court shall decide

whether such petition is in the form required by the statutes. If

the Court is at the time adjourned, the Chief Justice shall

immediately convene the same for such hearing. No objection to the

sufficiency shall be considered unless it has been made and filed as

herein provided.

E. Signature-gathering Deadline for Initiative Petitions. When

an initiative petition has been filed in the office of the Secretary

of State and all appeals, protests, and rehearings have been

resolved or the period for such has expired, the Secretary of State

shall set the date for circulation of signatures for the petition to

begin but in no event shall the date be less than fifteen (15) days

nor more than thirty (30) days from the date when all appeals,

protests, and rehearings have been resolved or have expired.

Notification shall be sent to the proponents specifying the date on

which circulation of the petition shall begin and that the

signatures are due within ninety (90) days of the date set. Any

person who circulates the petition to collect signatures shall be a

registered voter in this state and shall display a conspicuous

notice in any location where the person is collecting signatures

whether the person is being paid to circulate the petition and if

so, by what person or entity. Each elector shall sign his or her

name and legibly print his or her name, birth date, address, and

county of residence associated with his or her Oklahoma voter

registration record. An elector’s signature shall serve as an

attestation that the elector read the gist in full or that the

person who solicited the elector’s signature read the gist in full

to the elector. The Secretary of State shall establish procedures

by which an elector can request to have his or her signature removed

from the petition. Any petition not filed in accordance with this

provision shall not be considered. The proponents of an initiative

petition, any time before the final submission of signatures, may

withdraw the initiative petition upon written notification to the

Secretary of State.

F. Signature-gathering Deadline for Referendum Petitions. All

signed signatures supporting a referendum petition shall be filed

with the Secretary of State not later than ninety (90) days after

the adjournment of the legislative session in which the measure

which is the subject of the referendum petition was enacted.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 34. Initiative and Referendum Page 11

G. 1. Any person who circulates the petition to collect

signatures shall disclose to the Secretary of State any employer or

entity that is compensating the person for the circulation of the

petition. No compensation shall be based on number of signatures

collected, number of signature sheets submitted, or any other

similar incentives. No person or entity who does not reside or do

business in this state shall contribute to or compensate a person

for circulation of a petition. Any person or entity that employs a

person for circulation of a petition shall follow federal labor

standards; and

2. Any person or entity expending funds on the circulation of a

petition shall submit a weekly report to the Secretary of State that

details such expenditures and that attests that all donated funds

were received from sources in this state. The Secretary of State

shall publish such reports on the Secretary’s website until the vote

on the measure has occurred.

H. 1. The total number of signatures collected to meet the

requirements for an initiative petition or referendum petition,

amending the Oklahoma Statutes, from a single county shall not

exceed eleven and five-tenths percent (11.5%) of the number of votes

cast in that county during the most recent statewide general

election for Governor. The State Election Board shall determine the

number of votes cast in each county; and

2. The total number of signatures collected to meet the

requirements for an initiative petition or referendum petition,

amending the Oklahoma Constitution, from a single county shall not

exceed twenty and eight-tenths percent (20.8%) of the number of

votes cast in that county during the most recent statewide general

election for Governor. The State Election Board shall determine the

number of votes cast in each county.

I. The proponents of a referendum or an initiative petition may

terminate the circulation period any time during the ninety-day

circulation period by certifying to the Secretary of State that:

1. All signed petitions have already been filed with the

Secretary of State;

2. No more petitions are in circulation; and

3. The proponents will not circulate any more petitions.

If the Secretary of State receives such a certification from the

proponents, the Secretary of State shall begin the counting and

review process.

J. When the signed copies of a petition pamphlet are timely

filed, the Secretary of State shall file a copy of the proponent’s

ballot title with the Attorney General and, after conducting a count

and review of the filed, signed petition pamphlets, the Secretary of

State shall certify to the Supreme Court of the state:

1. The total number of signatures counted pursuant to

procedures set forth in this title; and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 34. Initiative and Referendum Page 12

2. The total number of votes cast for the office of Governor at

the last general election.

The Supreme Court shall make the determination of the numerical

sufficiency or insufficiency of the signatures counted and reviewed

by the Secretary of State.

K. Upon order of the Supreme Court it shall be the duty of the

Secretary of State to forthwith cause to be published, in at least

one newspaper of general circulation in the state, a notice of the

filing of the signed petitions and the apparent sufficiency or

insufficiency thereof, and shall also publish the text of the ballot

title as reviewed and approved or, if applicable, as rewritten by

the Attorney General pursuant to the provisions of subsection D of

Section 9 of this title and notice that any citizen or citizens of

the state may file an objection to the count made by the Secretary

of State, by a written notice to the Supreme Court and to the

proponent or proponents filing the petition. Any such objection

shall be filed within ninety (90) days after publication and shall

relate only to the validity or number of the signatures or a

challenge to the ballot title. A copy of the objection to the count

or ballot title shall be filed with the Supreme Court, the Attorney

General, and the Secretary of State.

L. Upon appeal and if ordered or directed by the Supreme Court,

the Secretary of State shall deliver the bound volumes of signatures

to the Supreme Court.

M. Upon the filing of an objection to the signature count or

ballot title, the Supreme Court shall resolve the objection with

dispatch. The Supreme Court shall adopt rules to govern proceedings

to apply to the challenge of a measure on the grounds that the

proponents failed to gather sufficient signatures.

N. If in the opinion of the Supreme Court, any objection to the

count or protest to the petition is frivolous, the Court may impose

appropriate sanctions, including an award of costs and attorney fees

to either party as the Court deems equitable.

O. Whenever reference is made in this act to the Supreme Court,

such reference shall include the members of the Supreme Court, or

any officer constitutionally designated to perform the duties herein

prescribed.

R.L. 1910, § 3375. Amended by Laws 1910-11, c. 107, p. 235, § 1,

emerg. eff. March 18, 1911; Laws 1961, p. 265, § 5, emerg. eff. May

17, 1961; Laws 1970, c. 185, §§ 2, 3, emerg. eff. April 13, 1970;
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-2 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-2
Initiative petition - Form
Status: in_force

A. The form of initiative petition shall be substantially as

follows:

INITIATIVE PETITION

To the Honorable ______________, Governor of Oklahoma (or To the

Honorable ______________, Mayor, Chairman of County Commissioners,

or other chief executive officers, as the case may be, for the city,

county or other municipality): We, the undersigned legal voters of

the State of Oklahoma (and of the district of _______________,

county of _______________, or city of ________________, as the case

may be), respectfully order that the following proposed law (or

amendment to the constitution, ordinance, or amendment to the city

charter, as the case may be) shall be submitted to the legal voters

of the State of Oklahoma (or of the district of ______________,

county of ______________, or city of ______________, as the case may

be) for their approval or rejection at the regular general election

(or regular or special city election), to be held on the _____ day

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 34. Initiative and Referendum Page 2

of _________, 20__, and each for himself says: I have personally

signed this petition; I am a legal voter of the State of Oklahoma

(and of the district of _________, county of __________________,

city of ______________, as the case may be); the following five data

points shall be included on the form: the voter’s legal first name,

legal last name, zip code, house number, and numerical month and day

of my birth. The time for filing this petition expires ninety (90)

days from (Secretary of State to insert assigned date when petition

is to begin signature circulation). (This for State initiative.

For county, city, or other municipality the length of time shall be

ninety (90) days.) The question we herewith submit to our fellow

voters is: Shall the following bill (or proposed amendment to the

Constitution or resolution) be approved? (Insert here an exact copy

of the text of the measure followed by proponents of record (not to

exceed three signatures, complete printed name and address

associated with his or her Oklahoma voter registration record).)

B. In order for the signature to be approved by the Secretary

of State, four or more data points described in subsection A of this

section must be matched to the voter registration file.

R.L. 1910, § 3369. Amended by Laws 1961, p. 264, § 2, emerg. eff.

May 17, 1961; Laws 1992, c. 92, § 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1992; Laws 1994,

c. 147, § 2, emerg. eff. May 3, 1994; Laws 2015, c. 193, § 2, emerg.

eff. April 28, 2015; Laws 2020, c. 125, § 2, eff. Nov. 1, 2020; Laws

2024, c. 119, § 2, emerg. eff. April 23, 2024.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-27 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-27
Distribution of information on initiative and referendum
Status: in_force

process.

The Secretary of State may prepare and distribute information to

the public on the initiative and referendum process. The

information shall include, but not be limited to relevant statutes

and constitutional provisions related to the initiative and

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 34. Initiative and Referendum Page 19

referendum process. The information should also outline the

initiative and referendum process in a chronological order.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-17 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-17
Publication of measures
Status: in_force

It shall be the duty of the Secretary of State, not less than

five (5) business days before any election held throughout the state

at which any proposed law, part of an act, or amendment to the

constitution is to be submitted to the people of the state for their

approval or rejection, to cause to be published once in two

different newspapers of general statewide circulation and in a

newspaper of general circulation in each county, a copy of all

ballots on initiated and referred questions, measures, and

constitutional amendments, and an explanation of how to vote for or

against propositions. The Secretary of State shall designate the

newspapers in which the publication shall be made. The publication

shall be paid for at the legal rate for other publications, out of

any funds of the state appropriated therefor.

R.L. 1910, § 3384. Amended by Laws 1916, c. 32, p. 87, § 1, emerg.

eff. Feb. 26, 1916; Laws 1917, c. 173, p. 306, § 1; Laws 1921, c.

98, p. 124, § 1; Laws 1979, c. 47, § 12, emerg. eff. April 9, 1979;
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-21 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-21
Resubmission, when
Status: in_force

Where there are competing measures and neither receives a

majority of the votes cast for and against the one receiving the

greatest number of votes shall, if it has received more than one-

third (1/3) of the votes cast for and against both bills, be

submitted by itself at the next general election. If two or more

conflicting laws shall be approved by the people at the same

election, the law receiving the greatest number of affirmative votes

shall be paramount in all particulars as to which there is a

conflict, even though such law may not have received the greatest

majority of affirmative votes. If two or more conflicting

amendments to the constitution shall be approved by the people at

the same election, the amendment which receives the greatest number

of affirmative votes shall be paramount in all particulars as to

which there is a conflict even though such amendment may not have

received the greatest majority of affirmative votes.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-6 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-6
Verification of signatures
Status: in_force

Any person who circulates a sheet of the petition shall be a

registered voter of this state and shall verify the signatures

included on any signature sheets he or she circulates by executing

his or her affidavit thereon and as a part thereof. The Secretary

of State shall cause to be affixed onto the back of the signature

form an affidavit, subject to change, for the circulator to verify

the signatures.

State of Oklahoma, )

) ss.

County of ________ )

I, ______, being first duly sworn, say: That I am at least

eighteen (18) years old, a registered voter of this state, and that

all signatures on the signature sheet were signed in my presence; I

believe that each has stated his or her name, mailing address,

county of residence, and date of birth associated with his or her

Oklahoma voter registration record, and that each signer is a legal

voter of the State of Oklahoma and county of ______ or of the city

of ______ (as the case may be). (Signature and complete address of

affiant.)

Subscribed and sworn to before me this ________ day of ________ A.D.

20__.

(Signature and title of the Oklahoma notarial officer before

whom oath is made, and his or her complete address, commission

number and expiration date, and official Oklahoma notary public

seal.)

R.L. 1910, § 3373. Amended by Laws 1969, c. 206, § 2, emerg. eff.

April 18, 1969; Laws 2015, c. 193, § 3, emerg. eff. April 28, 2015;
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-23 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-23
Who may sign petitions and vote - Penalties
Status: in_force

Every person who is a qualified elector of the State of Oklahoma

may sign a petition for the referendum or for the initiative for any

measure upon which he is legally entitled to vote. Any person

signing any name other than his own to any petition, or knowingly

signing his name more than once for the same measure at one

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 34. Initiative and Referendum Page 18

election, or who is not at the time of signing the same a legal

voter of this state, or whoever falsely makes or willfully destroys

a petition or any part thereof, or who signs or files any

certificate or petition knowing the same or any part thereof to be

falsely made, or suppresses any certificate or petition or any part

thereof which has been duly filed or who shall violate any provision

of this statute, or who shall aid or abet any other person in doing

any of said acts; and any person violating any provision of this

chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a Class D3

felony offense and shall be punished by a fine of not exceeding Five

Hundred Dollars ($500.00), or by imprisonment as provided for in

subsections B through F of Section 20P of Title 21 of the Oklahoma

Statutes, or by both such fine and imprisonment in the discretion of

the court before which such conviction shall be had.

R.L. 1910, § 3392. Amended by Laws 1997, c. 133, § 443, eff. July

1, 1999; Laws 1999, 1st Ex.Sess., c. 5, § 327, eff. July 1, 1999;
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-19 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-19
Failure to publish not to invalidate election
Status: in_force

The failure to prepare and have published the argument and other

matter as provided by law shall not invalidate the election held on

any initiative or referendum or Constitutional amendment proposed by

the Legislature, and no election on any such measure shall be

declared or held invalid on the grounds that such publication was

not so prepared or published.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-7 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-7
Numbering of petitions
Status: in_force

Each order for a direct ballot by the voters that is filed with

the Secretary of State by initiative petition, referendum petition,

and by the Legislature shall be numbered consecutively, each in a

series by itself, beginning with one, to be continued year after

year, without duplication of numbers.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-2.1 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-2.1
Promulgation of rules
Status: in_force

The Secretary of State may promulgate rules to carry out the

provisions of this title.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-8 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-8
See the following versions:
Status: in_force

OS 34-8v1 (SB 518, Laws 2024, c. 119, § 3)

OS 34-8v2 (SB 1027, Laws 2025, c. 275, § 3)
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-25 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-25
Time for submission of initiated and referred measures
Status: in_force

Whenever any measure shall be initiated by the people in the

manner provided by law, or whenever the referendum shall be demanded

against any measure passed by the Legislature, same shall be

submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at the next

regular election; provided, the Governor shall have power, in his

discretion, to call a special election to vote upon such questions,

or to designate the mandatory primary election as a special election

for such purpose.
Okla. Stat. tit. 34, § 34-28 — OK Code / Title 34 / Section 34-28
Severability
Status: in_force

The provisions of this act shall be severable and if any

section, subsection, sentence, or clause of this act is for any

reason held to be invalid such holding shall not affect the validity

of the remaining portions thereof.