Opinion ID: 4016947
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Post-Circulation Challenge To The Gist Of The Measure.

Text: ¶5 Petitioners first challenge the sufficiency of the gist of the measure found in the pamphlets already circulated for signatures. They argue it is appropriate for this Court to review the gist post-circulation. We hold that under current law, a post-circulation challenge to the gist of a measure is untimely. ¶6 Petitioners first cite our recent opinion wherein we found that a pre-circulation challenge to the gist of a measure is appropriate. In re Initiative Petition No. 409, State Question No. 785, 2016 OK 51, ¶4, n.10, __P.3d__. We noted that although the ballot title review process and challenge must now statutorily come after the circulation period pursuant to 34 O.S. Supp. 2015, § 8, the statute remains silent as to a challenge to the gist of the petition. In re Initiative Petition No. 409, State Question No. 785, 2016 OK 51 at ¶4, n.10. However, we determined we need not decide in that opinion whether a post-circulation challenge to the gist of the petition was appropriate. Id. That is the question we are presented with today. ¶7 It first should be noted that in all the Initiative and Referendum statutes (34 O.S. § 1-27) the word gist only appears in one place, 34 O.S. 2011, § 3. It only provides that the gist of the measure shall be on the signature sheets which are then attached to copies of the petition for the securing of signatures. It specifically identifies the signature sheets as being separate from the petition. It refers to the combination of the petition and signature sheets as a pamphlet which is what the proponents circulate for signatures. After filing the petition with the Secretary of State pursuant to Title 34 O.S. § 8, citizens are notified they may object to the constitutionality of the petition. However, there is no provision at the pre-circulation stage about filing the gist or a signature sheet with the gist. Nor is there a specific provision anywhere in these statutes for challenging the gist. Title 34 O.S. Supp. 2015, § 8 (B) provides, at the pre-circulation stage, for only a protest concerning the constitutionality of the petition. 4 ¶8 In In re Initiative Petition No. 409, State Question No. 785, we determined even though the statutes were silent concerning a challenge to the gist, at least at the pre-circulation stage, it could be challenged because it remains a necessary part of the pamphlet circulated to potential signatories. 2016 OK 51 at ¶4, n.10. A challenge to the gist has historically involved its sufficiency. Here, Petitioners challenge the sufficiency of the gist. In 2009, the legislature amended 34 O.S. § 8 by adding a new subsection (B) which provides in pertinent part [n]o objection to the sufficiency shall be considered unless it has been made and filed as herein provided, i.e., within ten (10) business days after publication [the original publication by the Secretary of State concerning the filing of the petition] (34 O.S. Supp. 2015, § 8 (B)). 2009 Okla. Sess. Laws c. 318, § 1. Under current law, the sufficiency of the petition and, by our interpretation as mentioned, the gist, is appropriate only within the time period for filing an objection to the petition (34 O.S. Supp. 2015, § 8 (B)). The ten-day period for filing such objection already expired prior to circulation. This matter is at the post-circulation stage. The only objections authorized at this stage are found in 34 O.S. Supp. 2015, § 8 (I). In 2009, the Legislature amended this subsection, which at the time was subsection (H), to restrict the content of post-circulation objections. 2009 Okla. Sess. Laws c. 318, § 1. Following the 2015 amendments, post-circulation objections must now relate only to the validity or number of the signatures or a challenge to the ballot title. 2015 Okla. Sess. Laws c. 193, § 4. This is further proof that the Legislature intended the sufficiency of the petition and/or gist to be unchallengeable post-circulation. Petitioners argue that a misleading gist would be relevant to the validity of the signatures. We do not agree. The validity of the signatures concerns only the genuineness of the signatures and does not concern whether a person signing the signature sheet was misled by the gist thereon. That issue is inherently a sufficiency argument that, at the post-circulation stage, has expired. 5