Joint resolution; calling a Constitutional Convention to alter, revise, or amend the present Constitution of the State of Oklahoma or propose a new Constitution.
If approved, the Constitutional Convention is scheduled to convene in Oklahoma City starting September 12, 2024, and will aim to complete its work by June 30, 2025. The significance of this Convention includes the ability to alter, amend, or propose a new state Constitution which could considerably change the governance, legal framework, and various statutes within Oklahoma. The proposed changes would subsequently need to be approved by the voters during the general election in 2026.
SJR17 is a Joint Resolution presented in the Oklahoma Legislature proposing a Constitutional Convention aimed at modernizing or amending the existing Constitution of Oklahoma, or potentially drafting a new Constitution. This proposal necessitates a vote by the citizens of Oklahoma, as required by Section 2 of Article XXIV of the Oklahoma Constitution, stating that a proposal for a Constitutional Convention must occur at least every twenty years. The last such vote took place in 1970.
Notably, this resolution has sparked discussions regarding the necessity of updating the Oklahoma Constitution, which is among the longest in the U.S. and contains outdated references. Proponents argue for the need to align the Constitution with current societal and economic realities, while opponents may express concern over the implications of such sweeping changes, particularly regarding local governance and legislative authority.