In-person absentee voting; modifying time for in-person absentee voting. Effective date.
Summary
SB 1362 revises Oklahoma’s in-person absentee voting procedures. The bill changes the time window for applying for an in-person absentee ballot, allowing voters to apply on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before most elections from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., while preserving a shorter Saturday window for general, primary, runoff primary, and presidential preferential primary elections, and adding a Wednesday window before general elections. It also updates the list of elections for which in-person absentee voting is available and modernizes related statutory language.
The bill keeps the core safeguards for in-person absentee voting in place. Voters must still swear they have not voted a regular mail absentee ballot and will not vote at their regular polling place, provide proof of identity or sign an oath and cast a provisional ballot, and vote under the supervision of an absentee voting board. The measure also retains procedures for ballot handling, sealing of electronic results storage media, sheriff custody of materials, and recount procedures if voting equipment malfunctions. The act is set to take effect January 1, 2027.
Impact
SB 1362 amends 26 O.S. 2021, Section 14-115.4, affecting state election law governing in-person absentee voting. It expands and clarifies the days and hours voters may use this voting method, broadens the election types covered, and preserves county election board authority to designate multiple in-person absentee locations in larger counties. The bill primarily affects registered voters, county election boards, absentee voting boards, sheriffs responsible for ballot security, and the State Election Board’s oversight role.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests generally favorable support for the bill, with unanimous approval in the Senate Judiciary Committee and passage on Senate third reading by a 36-9 vote. The committee record does not show extended opposition in the excerpts provided, and the bill advanced through the Senate before being referred to the House Elections and Ethics Committee. Overall, the discussion and votes indicate support for updating and expanding in-person absentee voting procedures, though the floor vote shows some dissent.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are the expanded voting hours and the broader eligibility/timing rules for in-person absentee voting, which may raise concerns about election administration, security, and consistency across election types. Another possible issue is the reliance on oath-based identity verification and provisional ballots when proof of identity is unavailable, though the bill retains existing anti-fraud penalties. The recorded debate excerpts do not provide detailed arguments on these points, but the 9 no votes on third reading suggest some lawmakers were not fully persuaded by the changes.