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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
2nd Session of the 58th Legislature (2022)
HOUSE BILL 3680 By: Roberts (Sean)
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to elections; amending 26 O.S. 2021,
Section 7-130, which relates to poll watchers; making
certain acts unlawfu l; providing for penalty; and
providing an effective date .
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 26 O.S. 2021, Section 7 -130, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 7-130. A. Any candidate or any recognized political
party shall be entitled to hav e a watcher present at any place where
an official count is being conducted. Such watcher must be
commissioned in writing by the candidate, or by the chair of the
recognized political party of the county in which the watcher is
being authorized. Such com mission must be filed with the secretary
of the appropriate county election board no later than 5:00 p.m. on
Wednesday preceding the election. Watchers must subscribe to an
oath to observe all laws and rules prescribed for watchers as
hereinafter provided . Such oath must be administered by the
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inspector of the precinct in which the watcher is authorized.
Watchers shall be entitled to observe the voting device both before
the polls are opened and after the polls are closed; provided,
further, that such wa tchers shall not be present at the polling
place at other times. Watchers may be commissioned to observe
voting device testing and to accompany personnel assigned to repair
or maintain machines during the period of the election. In such
case, the watchers shall be limited to observing the repair or
maintenance work being performed and making a written record o f such
work. Any watcher who violates the law prescribed for watchers
shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
B. Any person who illegally removes, obstructs the view, or
otherwise restricts the free movement of a watcher shall, upon
conviction, be guilty of a felony pursuant to Section 16-101 of this
title.
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective November 1, 2022.
58-2-9996 LRB 01/07/22