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STATE OF OKLAHOMA
1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023)
SENATE JOINT
RESOLUTION 17 By: Newhouse
AS INTRODUCED
A Joint Resolution calling a Constitutional
Convention to modernize, update, or amend the present
Constitution of the State o f Oklahoma or to propose a
new Constitution; fixing the time and place thereof;
providing for selection of delegates to the
Convention; directing certain members of the
Legislature and the Governor to form a committee to
select certain delegates; providing date of
adjournment; providing for submission of
constitutional changes to the voters of the state;
providing for submission of this joint resolution to
a vote of the people; ordering a special election;
providing ballot title; and directing filing .
WHEREAS, Section 2 of Article XXIV of the Oklahoma Constitution
requires that a proposal to hold a Constitutional Convention sh all
be submitted to a vote of the people at least once every twenty (20)
years; and
WHEREAS, the last proposal providing for a Constitutional
Convention was submitted to a vote of the people March 17, 1970; and
WHEREAS, a State Question to eliminate the re quirement that a
Constitutional Convention proposal be submitted to the people every
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twenty (20) years was defeated at th e General Election held November
8, 1994; and
WHEREAS, the current Constitution is the sec ond longest in the
United States and contains many references to antiquated industries,
provisions, and terms to b e removed or updated; and
WHEREAS, it is incumbent u pon the Legislature to enact a law
providing for a Constitutional Convention and to sub mit the law to a
vote of the people.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 59TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:
SECTION 1. The Secretary of State shall refer to the people for
their approval or rejection, as and in the manner provided by law,
the question, pursuant specifically to Section 2 of Artic le XXIV of
the Oklahoma Constitution, of calling a C onstitutional Convention
for the purpose of modernizing, updating, or amending the current
Constitution, or to propose a new Constitution for this state.
SECTION 2. The Constitutional Con vention shall convene not
later than twelve o’clock noon, September 12, 2024, in Oklahoma City
at the State Capitol.
SECTION 3. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speak er
of the House of Representatives, the Minority Leader of the Senate,
the Minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the
Governor, shall form a committee to determine and select the
delegates to participate in the Con stitutional Convention.
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SECTION 4. The Constitutional Convention shall adjourn sine die
no later than June 30, 2025.
SECTION 5. A special election is hereby ordered to be held
throughout this state on or before March 5, 2024, at which time the
proposed Constitutional Convention, as set forth in SECTION 1 of
this resolution, shall be submitted to the people of Oklahoma for
their approval or rejection as and in the manner provided by law.
SECTION 6. The Ballot Title for the proposed question to be put
before the people as provided herein shall be in the following form:
BALLOT TITLE
Legislative Referendum No. ____ State Question No. ____
THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:
This measure calls a state Co nstitutional Convention. It would
begin on September 12, 2024. It would end by June 30, 2025. It
would review the State Cons titution. It could alter, amend, or
revise the Constitution. It could propose a new State
Constitution. Any change in the Constitu tion or new
Constitution must be presented for approval to state vot ers.
This would happen at the General Electio n in 2026.
SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED?
FOR THE PROPOSAL — YES _____________
AGAINST THE PROPOSAL — NO _____________
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SECTION 7. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall
immediately after the passage of this resolution, prepare and file
one copy thereof, including the Ballot Title set forth in SECTION 6
hereof, with the Secretary of State and one copy with the Attorney
General.
59-1-859 KR 1/19/2023 2:21:02 PM