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Governor Kevin Stitt has signed a new bill into law that changes Oklahoma's initiative petition process, sparking debate across the state. The legislation places new restrictions on the number of signatures that can be collected from each county during the initiative petition process, which allows citizens to propose laws or constitutional amendments for a statewide vote.
Supporters of the bill argue that it will ensure rural voices are better represented in the petition process. Under the new law, for statutory petitions, the number of signatures from any one county is capped at 11.5% of that county's turnout in the most recent gubernatorial election. For constitutional amendments, the cap is slightly higher at 20.8%. This change means that the two most populous counties, Oklahoma and Tulsa, can no longer dominate the petition signature count.
Critics, however, claim the new law will make it more difficult for Oklahomans to get issues on the ballot. Amber England, a longtime petition organizer, expressed concerns that the law rewrites the rules and limits the ability of citizens to directly influence legislation. She argues that special interest groups and powerful politicians are trying to control the process.
The bill's author, Sen. David Bullard, defended the legislation, stating that it aims to ensure a more diverse representation of Oklahomans in the petition process. Rep. Jim Olsen echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of including the entire state in the decision-making process.
Despite opposition, including over 2,500 letters delivered to the governor's office urging a veto, the bill was signed into law. The new rules will require petition organizers to gather more support from rural areas, potentially reshaping how future initiatives are brought to the ballot.