Constitutional amendment; increasing percentage of vote required to pass certain measures.
Summary
SJR5 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would place before Oklahoma voters changes to the state’s initiative, referendum, and legislatively referred constitutional amendment process. Under the resolution, measures approved through the initiative or referendum process would need support from at least 60% of votes cast, rather than a simple majority, to take effect. The resolution also would require that constitutional amendments proposed by the Legislature receive at least 60% approval from voters, instead of a majority, to become part of the Oklahoma Constitution.
The resolution directs the Secretary of State to refer these proposed changes to the people at an election and includes ballot language for the statewide vote. It also preserves existing procedural rules such as filing deadlines, the Governor’s lack of veto power over measures voted on by the people, and the Legislature’s authority to provide for implementation. If approved, the measure would amend Article V, Section 3, and Article XXIV, Section 1 of the Oklahoma Constitution.
Impact
If adopted by voters, SJR5 would substantially raise the threshold for enacting citizen-led initiatives, referenda, and legislatively referred constitutional amendments in Oklahoma. That would make it harder for ballot measures to pass and would likely reduce the number of successful constitutional and statutory changes approved by a simple majority of voters. The measure would directly affect the Oklahoma Constitution, the Secretary of State’s election duties, and the practical ability of citizens and lawmakers to change state law through the ballot box.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to be framed as a procedural reform rather than a policy change on a substantive issue. There are no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, so no formal debate record is available here. The caption and ballot title suggest the sponsor’s intent is to strengthen the approval requirement for major ballot measures, which typically appeals to supporters of higher voter thresholds and more restrictive direct-democracy rules.
Contention
The main point of contention is the proposed shift from majority rule to a 60% supermajority for both citizen initiatives/referenda and legislative constitutional amendments. Supporters would likely argue that constitutional and statewide ballot changes should require broader consensus, while opponents would likely view the proposal as making it significantly harder for voters to enact reforms and as weakening direct democracy. Because the resolution affects both citizen-initiated measures and legislatively referred amendments, it could draw criticism from groups that rely on ballot initiatives to advance policy changes when the Legislature does not act.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
Proposes temporary constitutional amendment allowing State constitutional convention convened to reform system of property taxation to propose statutory changes.
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides for the election of constitutional convention delegates and vote requirements necessary for the adoption of a new constitution (RR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)
(Constitutional Amendment) Modifies disposition of certain state revenues through repeal of the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund and deposits of certain revenue streams into the Budget Stabilization Fund (RRF INCREASE GF RV See Note)
(Constitutional Amendment) Provides relative to the application of state monies to the unfunded accrued liability of the Teachers' Retirement System of La. (EN DECREASE SD RV See Note)
Proposing An Amendment To Article Xvii, Section 3 Of The Hawaii Constitution To Specify That The Standard For Voter Approval Of A Constitutional Amendment Proposed By The Legislature Is A Majority Of All The Votes Tallied Upon The Question.