OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — Legislation that would significantly reshape Oklahoma’s initiative petition process is one step closer to becoming law after the state House passed a revised version of Senate Bill 1027 last week. If signed into law, the bill would place additional hurdles in front of Oklahoma citizens who want to reform the electoral and political processes in their state.

SB 1027, authored by House Speaker Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow), passed the House on a 69-23 vote. Six Republicans joined all Democrats in opposing the measure, citing concerns over voter suppression and the chilling effect the legislation could have on grassroots campaigns.

Specifically, SB 1027 proposes capping the number of signatures that can be collected in any individual county: 11.5% of votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election for statutory changes, and 20.8% for constitutional amendments.

Hilbert contends the move is about fairness to rural voters. “The metros are getting double the say the rest of the state under the current process,” he said. 

It is worth noting that Oklahoma had the lowest voter turnout in the 2024 election cycle. It has a track record of low turnout. So, the number of registered voters who can sign a petition is small from the start -- leaving out the majority of voters regardless of county.

Critics of the bill argue that it could severely limit citizen-led efforts and undermine direct democracy in the state. 

Signature Limits Have Big Consequences

SB 1027 gives the secretary of state the power to remove the summary of a proposed ballot measure (called the gist), which is currently reviewed by the Oklahoma attorney general and the state Supreme Court. The bill also allows voters to rescind their signatures and challenge a petition’s gist before signature gathering begins.

Further, it includes the following requirements for anyone circulating petitions:

• They must be a registered Oklahoma voter, meaning campaigns cannot seek help from individuals or groups outside the state;
• They must disclose any payment and its source; and
• They have to refrain from accepting funds from out-of-state entities – a notable addition as it hinders ballot measures that are part of a national movement.

Democrats attempted to soften the bill with amendments. Rep. Andy Fugate (D-Oklahoma City) proposed putting the measure on the next statewide ballot, while Rep. Mickey Dollens (D-Oklahoma City) sought to double the signature-gathering window from 90 to 180 days.

Both amendments were tabled. Dollens criticized the majority’s actions.

“This is simply about silencing the people’s constitutional right to petition their government,” he said.

It wasn't solely Democrats who opposed the bill. Six Republicans voted against it, including Rep. Daniel Pae, who said it goes against the populist spirit of the state.

“We have this initiative petition process for a reason,” he said. “We should respect the spirit of this process and the will of our founders.”

Oklahoma United, a group that advocates for nonpartisan reforms and initiatives to improve state elections and economic and social policies, has also spoken out against the bill. The group’s founder and CEO, Margaret Kobos, said it doesn’t do anything its supporters promise.

“SB 1027 does not empower rural Oklahoma, nor is that the intent—it caps participation in every county and dismantles the principle of one-person, one-vote,” she said.

The bill could affect a proposed constitutional amendment filed by Oklahoma United. State Question 836 would replace the state’s closed partisan primary system with a primary system open to all voters, regardless of party.