ENGR. S. B. NO. 244 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO. 244 By: Seifried, Bullard, and Jett of the Senate and Martinez of the House An Act relating to school district elections; amending 26 O.S. 2021, Sections 13A-103 and 13A-105, which relate to election dates and declaration of candidacy; modifying permissible dates for certain elections; modifying dates for filing for certain office; and providing an effective date . BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE ST ATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 26 O.S. 2021, Section 13A-103, is amended to read as follows: Section 13A-103. A. 1. The general election of mem bers of the board of education of ever y school district and technology cente r school district shall be conducted o n the first second Tuesday of April November of each odd-numbered year, and on the first Tuesd ay after the first Monday of November in each even-numbered year. 2. The primary election of members of the board of educat ion of every school district and technology center school district, if necessary, shall be conducted on the second Tues day in February September of each odd-numbered year, except in any year when a Presidential Prefere ntial Primary is held in February, the n the election shall be held on the same day as the Presidential ENGR. S. B. NO. 244 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Preferential Primary and on the fourth Tuesday of August in each even-numbered year. 3. If only two candidates qua lify to have their names appear on the ballot, the names of both c andidates shall appear on the ballot at the board of education general election. 4. If more than two candidates qualify to have their names appear on the ballot, the names of all such candi dates shall appear on the ballot at the board of education primary election. A candidate receiving more than fifty p ercent (50%) of the votes cast in the board of education primary election shall be elected to the office. If no candidate receives more th an fifty percent (50%) of the votes cast in the board of education primary election, then the two candidates with the highest number of votes shall appear on the ballot at the board of education general elect ion. B. Elections on the question of making a l evy or levies for schools under Sectio n 9, Section 9B or Section 1 0 of Article X of the Oklahoma Constitution shall b e held on the second Tuesday in February of each year, except in any year when a Presidenti al Preferential Primary is held in February, the n the election shall be held on the same day as the Presidential P referential Primary. C. The board of education of every school district or technology center school district may call a special election for the purpose of voting on any matter or question authorized by law. ENGR. S. B. NO. 244 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 SECTION 2. AMENDATORY 26 O.S. 2021, Section 13A-105, is amended to read as follows : Section 13A-105. Candidates for member of the board of education of every scho ol district or technology center school district shall file declarations of candida cy in the same place and with the same officials as candidates for coun ty office. The declaration of candidacy to be signed by the candidate shall have an attachment to be signed by the candidate listing the requirements of a candidate for election or ree lection to a school board as set forth in Sections 13A-106 and 5-105a of this title and Sec tions 5- 110, 5-110.1, and 5-113 of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes, and the candidate shall swear or affirm that he or she is eligible to run for the office or serve in the office if elected. Candidates shall file no earlier than 8:00 a.m. on the first Monday second Wednesday in December April through no later than 5:00 p.m. on the following Wednesday next succeeding Friday. For school districts and technology center school districts loc ated in more than one county, filing may be either in the county wherein supervision of the district is located or in the county where t he candidate resides. SECTION 3. This act shall become effective November 1, 2023. ENGR. S. B. NO. 244 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Passed the Senate the 22nd day of March, 2023. Presiding Officer of the Senate Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________, 2023. Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives