Oklahoma House Bill HB1766

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/21
• Refer: 2/2/21

Caption

Elections; cancellation of registration of deceased persons; requiring funeral director to execute certain form; effective date.

Impact

This legislation is expected to enhance the accuracy of voter registration lists in Oklahoma, thereby preventing deceased individuals from being eligible to vote. By instituting a more structured approach to updating voter registrations, the bill seeks to maintain the integrity of the electoral process in the state. The list-sharing requirement between health departments and election boards aims to facilitate swift deletions from registries, which in turn would contribute to more reliable voting statistics and outcomes in upcoming elections.

Summary

House Bill 1766 addresses the process of canceling voter registrations for individuals who have deceased. The bill amends existing statutes to streamline the removal of deceased persons from voter registration lists by requiring documentation of death to be submitted by funeral directors or family members, with specified protocols for each method. The State Department of Health is mandated to send monthly lists of deceased residents to the Secretary of the State Election Board, which will then be responsible for updating voter registration databases in a timely manner, specifically within thirty days of confirming a voter’s death.

Contention

While the bill aims to strengthen the process of maintaining voter rolls, it could potentially raise concerns regarding access and privacy. There may be objections related to the ease with which family members or funeral directors can report a death, especially in communities that may experience difficulties with bureaucracy or may not have immediate access to necessary forms. Additionally, ensuring that the reporting underlines both legality and compassion during difficult times may prompt discussions and amendments to refine the bill further as it moves forward in the legislative process.