Statement from the ACLU of Oklahoma on the Oklahoma Legislature’s Misuse of Power

OKLAHOMA CITY – Just days after the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled that Oklahoma’s Election Officials had for 18 years been illegally denying Oklahoma voters the right to cast an absentee ballot without having to obtain the seal of a notary, the legislature moved with breakneck speed to undo the Court’s order.

The following is attributable to Ryan Kiesel, Executive Director:

“This legislative attack is based on bogus claims of voter fraud, but it is abundantly clear that the real motivation is to make it harder for Oklahomans to exercise their power at the ballot box. If the Governor signs this bill, Oklahoma will, again, stand-alone in requiring its voters to comply with such unnecessary hurdles. Voting by mail should be the norm in all elections, but it’s especially important during a pandemic.

Whether it’s taking away hard won voting rights of Oklahomans or related efforts like HJR 1027 that would make it impossible for Oklahomans to place important questions on the ballot by circulating initiative petitions, a majority of politicians in the legislature are hell bent on increasing their authority by stealing away the power of the people. And while there’s no guarantee of victory, you can bet we won’t stand idly by while they try.”