Oklahoma United condemns the Oklahoma House of Representatives for today passing Senate Bill 1027, a measure that undermines the right of citizens to bring issues directly to a vote. The bill will now return to the Senate for consideration of House amendments.
“We are deeply disappointed in the House’s decision to pass a bill based on misleading claims and a fundamental misrepresentation of its impact,” said Margaret Kobos, Founder and CEO of Oklahoma United. “Contrary to what some lawmakers have suggested, 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.”
SB 1027 places arbitrary caps on the number of petition signatures that can be gathered from each county. The caps mean that only a small percentage of citizens in every county will be permitted to sign a petition, and voters in larger metro areas, where many Oklahomans live, will no longer matter.
The bill also transfers decision-making power away from the courts and into the hands of political appointees, while making signature gathering more difficult, more expensive and less accessible to everyday Oklahomans.
“SB 1027 is not about protecting rural voices or strengthening democracy. As the original author has stated himself, and as aired publicly in today’s House debate, it’s about shutting down petitions and eliminating the voices of the majority of Oklahomans,” said Kobos.
Oklahoma United encourages all Oklahomans to continue to fight for fair democratic processes and defend Oklahomans’ constitutional right to petition their government.
Thank you to all the House members who voted "no" on SB 1027
Representative Alonso-Sandoval
Representative Harris
Representative Munson
Representative Rosecrants
Representative Bennett
Representative Johns
Representative Pae
Representative Schreiber
Representative Blancett
Representative Kannady
Representative Pittman
Representative Stewart
Representative Deck
Representative Kelley
Representative Pogemiller
Representative Strom
Representative Dollens
Representative McCane
Representative Provenzano
Representative Waldron
Representative Fugate
Representative Menz
Representative Ranson
SB 1027 has passed in the Oklahoma House this week. Here’s how you can help prevent this damaging bill from becoming law:
Subject: Please oppose SB 1027
Dear (Senator's Name)
I’m writing as your constituent to urge you to oppose SB 1027. This bill would make it significantly harder for everyday Oklahomans like me to bring important issues to the ballot through the initiative petition process.
Oklahoma already has one of the most difficult petition systems in the country. SB 1027 adds even more unnecessary restrictions that would silence the voices of citizens and limit our ability to participate in our own democracy.
Please stand up for the rights of your constituents and vote no on SB 1027.
Sincerely,
YOUR NAME
YOUR ADDRESS
OKLAHOMA CITY – Yesterday, the Oklahoma Senate Judiciary Committee voted to advance SB 1027, a bill that would impose significant new restrictions on the citizen initiative petition process. If passed into law, SB 1027 would make it dramatically harder for Oklahomans to bring issues directly to a vote, undermining one of the most fundamental avenues for public participation in policymaking.
SB 1027 introduces new bureaucratic hurdles that further restrict the ability of Oklahoma citizens to propose and vote on policies that matter to them. These proposed changes include:
This latest attempt to restrict citizen petitions is part of a broader pattern of legislative efforts to weaken direct democracy in Oklahoma. Oklahoma already has one of the most difficult petition processes in the country, yet lawmakers continue to push for more restrictions that silence voters and limit public input.
Margaret Kobos, Founder of Oklahoma United, issued the following statement:
"Today’s vote to advance SB 1027 is a disappointing step backward for democracy in Oklahoma. By making it harder for citizens to bring issues to the ballot, lawmakers are silencing the voices of everyday Oklahomans and limiting public participation in policymaking. The right to petition is fundamental to our state’s history, and this bill adds unnecessary barriers that will make it nearly impossible for grassroots efforts to succeed.
"Beyond restricting citizen access to the ballot, SB 1027 violates considerable legal precedent that protects political speech. The courts have repeatedly ruled that citizen-led initiatives are a core form of political expression, and this bill imposes unconstitutional restrictions that will almost certainly fail legal challenges.
"Oklahomans deserve more access to democracy, not less. We remain committed to fighting for an open, fair, and transparent petition process, and we urge lawmakers to learn more about this legislation and how it negatively impacts their constituents before advancing it any further.”
Kenneth Setter, a petitioner for State Question 836, also condemned the measure as an attempt to discourage civic engagement:
"SB 1027 and other bills like it are blatant attempts to shut down grassroots movements and silence the people. Instead of making it easier for citizens to engage in the democratic process, this legislature is working overtime to lock the people out."
Oklahoma United urges all citizens to contact their legislators and speak out against these efforts to restrict public participation in democracy.
405-557-7304
405-557-7390
405-557-7372
405-557-7371
(Emails are john.doe@okhouse.gov)
Subject: Please oppose SB 1027
Dear (Representative’s Name)
My name is _____, and I’m writing to you today as a constituent from [Town, State]. I wish to address my concerns over Senate Bill 1027. I strongly oppose any Senate Bill that would add restrictions to the citizen-led initiative petition process.
State why you oppose SB 1027. Some examples below:
1. SB 1027 would unfairly and unconstitutionally restrict substantial numbers of voters from all counties from signing petitions by capping the number of signatures per county at an arbitrarily low percentage. An average of only 9.7% of registered voters could sign a constitutional change petition and only 5.4% for a statutory change petition.
2. SB 1027 would give the authority to reject the wording of a petition to the Oklahoma Secretary of State, an unelected political appointee. The Secretary, with no legal training, would be granted authority to reject petitions based on subjective criteria.
3. Oklahomans don’t want more red tape. SB 1027 would stifle citizen-led initiatives and block democracy behind bureaucratic regulations that are antithetical to the ambition and ingenuity Oklahoma exalts. Among other arbitrary and arduous rules that SB 1027 is poised to implement, this bill would require every signator to verify they have read the entire gist of the petition before signing, creating an unnecessary step that is not even required of voters at the ballot box.
4. All Oklahomans possess the constitutionally endowed right to grant their signature on citizen-led petitions. It is clear that Senate Bill 1027 would pose a threat to every Oklahoman’s right to express their voice by imposing unjust, unprecedented, and unconstitutional regulations on the initiative petition process.
I would be personally affected by these changes because ____________________.
I appreciate you taking the time to read my concerns. I hope you will commit to upholding our right to participate in Oklahoma’s democracy.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]