Oklahoma lawmaker attempts to change how state questions are passed
TULSA, Okla. — An Oklahoma lawmaker is trying to change how state questions are passed.
Right now, they need just a simple majority of voters to say yes.
State Sen. Warren Hamilton, R-McCurtain, wants to change that to a two-thirds majority of all Oklahoma counties.
“We have seen several notable disasters in Oklahoma, including the lottery, ‘medical’ marijuana, and Medicaid expansion, all through our flawed methodology of state questions,” Hamilton said in a press release.
Hamilton added that allowing state questions to pass by a simple majority "gives only the major cities a voice in hot-button topics that often appear on the ballot."
"As someone who represents people living in a major city, what do you say to that?" NewsChannel 8's Daniela Ibarra asked Rep. Mickey Dollens, whose district represents Oklahoma City.
"I say that to the foundation of our democracy is one person one vote," answered Dollens. "If it were Democrats in charge, I wouldn't go around trying to move the goalposts from a simple majority to an astounding 66%. What he's saying is that a vote in Oklahoma County isn't the same as a vote in rural Oklahoma. I think that's a terrible mistake."
Dollens made a note about the recent gubernatorial elections.
"Every single county in Oklahoma voted red," he noted. "Rural Oklahoma has a very strong voice."
If Hamilton's proposal were in effect for previous state questions, medical marijuana wouldn't have been legal.
Cockfighting would still be legal.
"What this is, is senators wanting to take away power from the people to be preemptive on upcoming ballot measures that we could see as early as 2023, such as restoring reproductive freedoms, ending gerrymandering, implementing rank choice voting, all things that have overwhelming support from Oklahomans," said Dollens.
Hamilton's office did not respond to NewsChannel 8's repeated request for an interview, which included emails and a phone call.
We were not able to ask him why he said state questions"present a golden opportunity for voter fraud, election tampering, and out-of-state influence."
"I got to say that could not be further from the truth," said Dollens. "Oklahoma's election system is one of the most secure in the country. "
If the proposed resolution is passed in the upcoming session, voters would have to decide.
The outcome would come down to a simple majority.