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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023)
HOUSE BILL 1917 By: Fugate
AS INTRODUCED
An Act relating to elections; amending 26 O.S. 2021,
Section 6-102, which relates to unopposed candidates;
providing for retention ballots for certain
legislative candidates; providing for special
election; and providing an effe ctive date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 26 O.S. 2021, Section 6-102, is
amended to read as follows:
Section 6-102. A. Any candidate who is unopposed in any
election shall be deemed to have been nominated or elected, as the
case may be, and his or her name will not appear on the ballot at
any election in which he or she is so unopposed.
B. If an incumbent candidate for legislative office remains
unopposed at the succeeding General Election, the candidate's name
shall be placed on a retention ballot. Ballots for retention of
legislators shall be printed in the same manner as other b allots for
the General Election, except as hereinafter provided. Near the top
of the ballot shall be printed the following words: "NOTICE TO
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VOTER: Vote separately on each legislator; they are not running
against each other." Below said words shall appe ar the legislative
district number, as reflected by the numbers of the districts from
which said legislators were elected, and this question: "Shall
(Here insert name of legislator) be retained in Office? " Said
question shall be followed by the words "YES" and "NO", one above
the other. If the candidate receives a fifty-one percent (51%)
majority of votes in the affirmative, he or she shall retain the
legislative office. If the candidate fails to re ceive a fifty-one
percent (51%) majority of votes in the affirmative, a Special
Election shall be called pursuant to Section 12-106 of this title to
fill the vacancy. The incumbent candidate shall continue to serve
until a successor has been elected .
SECTION 2. This act shall become effective January 1, 2025.
59-1-5499 LRB 12/28/22