Oklahoma Administrative Code › Title 1 - EXECUTIVE ORDERS › Section 1:2023-29

Current through Vol. 41, No. 20, July 1, 2024
EXECUTIVE ORDER 2023-29
One of the few pillars of our system of government that
			 continues to enjoy broad consensus is that elections should be decided by
			 American citizens free from interference. Oklahoma's Constitution could not be
			 clearer: "All elections shall be free and equal."
But elections are only as free and equal as the processes used
			 to finance campaigns and count votes. Although federal law already prohibits
			 contributions, donations, expenditures, and disbursements by foreign nationals
			 to any federal, state, or local election, the State of Oklahoma may need
			 additional clarity and/or legal safeguards to ensure our state election,
			 initiative, and referendum processes are as free and equal as possible.
That said, I am proud to report that Oklahoma is a national
			 leader in election security. Our state and county election boards are best in
			 class. Oklahomans should know the ballots cast and counted in Oklahoma are
			 legitimate. But we must not rest on our laurels. Instead, we must ensure that
			 our elections and political processes are not tainted by other governments'
			 investment and/or interference.
In short, political outcomes in Oklahoma should be products of
			 Oklahomans exercising their individual political judgment freed from coercive
			 influence. That's why I'm calling on the Legislature, and in particular the
			 Senate Rules and House Election and Ethics Committees, to introduce legislation
			 that would get governments' money and influence out of state elections once and
			 for all-perhaps as soon as the next regular session.
Therefore, I, J. Kevin Stitt, Governor of the State of Oklahoma,
			 pursuant to the power and authority vested in me by Sections 1 and 2 of Article
			 VI of the Oklahoma Constitution, and to the fullest extent authorized by law,
			 hereby order the creation of the Governor's Task Force on Campaign Finance and
			 Election Threats (the Task Force) until January 15, 2024:
The Task Force shall study, evaluate, and develop policy and
			 administrative recommendations related to campaign finance and foreign
			 investment and/or interference in Oklahoma elections. Specific areas of inquiry
			 should include, but need not be limited to:
1. Identifying the ways in which Oklahoma is
		  leading the nation in election security;
2. Identifying any campaign finance loopholes
		  that need to be closed and identifying the nature of any government
		  interference in state elections;
3.
		  Designing, for the Legislature's benefit as it considers drafting common-sense
		  legislation to curtail any interference in our politics, a mechanism or process
		  by which the state can detect the covert distribution of propaganda and
		  disinformation against the peace and dignity of the State of Oklahoma.
The Task Force shall submit to the Governor, the President Pro
			 Tempore of the Oklahoma Senate, and the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of
			 Representatives, a report on or before January 15, 2024, detailing its findings
			 and recommendations.
The Task Force shall be composed of nine (9) members determined
			 as follows:
1. The Chair, selected by
		  the Governor;
2. Paul Ziriax,
		  Secretary of the State Election Board;
3. Josh Cockroft, Secretary of
		  State;
4. A county election board
		  member from a county with a population of 50,000 or more, selected by the
		  Chair;
5. A county election board
		  member from a county with a population of 49,999 or less, selected by the
		  Chair;
6. The President Pro Tempore
		  of the Senate, or designee;
7. The
		  Speaker of the House, or designee; and
The Governor shall appoint two (2) at-large members, each of
			 whom should have expertise in matters relating to campaign finance, elections,
			 privacy, or ethics.
The Chair of the Task Force, shall have the authority to create
			 committees and name committee chairs to facilitate the work of the Task Force
			 and shall have the authority to appoint Task Force members and/or non-member
			 subject matter experts to serve on committees. The Task Force shall meet as
			 often as deemed necessary by the Chair allowing for timely completion of its
			 work. Five (5) or more members shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of
			 conducting the business of the Task Force. Task Force members and non-members
			 appointed to serve on committees shall serve without compensation.
The Office of Management and Enterprise Services shall provide
			 staff, technical, and administrative support for the Task Force. All Executive
			 departments, officers, agencies, and employees of the State shall cooperate
			 with the Task Force, including providing any information, data, records, and
			 reports as may be requested.
This Executive Order shall be distributed to each member of the
			 Task Force, all state and county election boards, and all cabinet
			 secretaries.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the
			 Great Seal of the State of Oklahoma to be affixed at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,
			 on this 1st day of November, 2023.
BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA
J. Kevin Stitt
ATTEST:
Josh Cockroft
Secretary of State