Oklahoma House Bill HJR1023

Oklahoma 2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/23
• Refer: 2/7/23

Caption

Constitutional amendment; creating the Oklahoma Rank Choice Voting Act; created a method of casting and tabulating votes in order of preference; ballot title; filing.

Impact

If approved, the Oklahoma Ranked Choice Voting Act would modify the current voting process by enabling a methodology that would potentially lead to more representative electoral outcomes. It seeks to eliminate situations where candidates can win elections with only a fraction of the vote, thereby enhancing the democratic process. The amendment would apply to various offices including U.S. Senators, state governors, and district judges, potentially transforming electoral dynamics across different levels of government.

Summary

HJR1023 is a proposed Joint Resolution that seeks to amend the Oklahoma State Constitution by introducing the Oklahoma Ranked Choice Voting Act. The bill mandates the State Election Board to implement a voting system that allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference. This system aims to enhance electoral outcomes by ensuring that votes are tabulated in rounds, where last-place candidates are eliminated until one candidate achieves a majority, ensuring that the elected candidate has broad voter support.

Contention

Supporters of the bill argue that ranked-choice voting will foster more constructive campaigning and reduce negative campaigning, as candidates would need to appeal to a broader audience to secure secondary rankings. However, critics express concerns about the complexity of the new voting process and the possible confusion it may cause among voters. There are fears that such changes could disproportionately affect voter turnout, particularly among those not accustomed to ranking candidates, which may lead to unintended consequences in election results.