OK
Oklahoma House Bill HB1999

Oklahoma 2024 Regular Session

Oklahoma House Bill HB1999

Introduced
2/6/23  

Caption

Elections; requiring certain procedures for rejection of absentee ballots; providing for ballot curing; effective date.

Impact

The bill introduces significant adjustments to how absentee ballots are processed, focusing on improving voter participation and ensuring that more individuals can successfully cast their votes, even in emergencies. By reducing the barrier of notarization or witness requirements during declared emergencies, the legislation is positioned to facilitate greater access to absentee voting. Critics, however, may raise concerns regarding the potential for voter identification fraud due to the relaxed requirements under certain conditions.

Summary

House Bill 1999 aims to amend the Oklahoma statutes regarding absentee voting procedures. It proposes various updates to enhance the absentee voting process, including adjustments to the requirements for ballot affidavits and the confidentiality of voter information. Key changes involve providing voters an option to submit contact details, which are kept confidential, and allowing modifications to signature requirements, particularly in the context of voter identification during emergencies.

Contention

One notable point of contention is the change in grounds for rejecting absentee ballots based on variations in signatures. The bill proposes to prohibit the rejection of ballots solely due to minor discrepancies in signatures, which some may argue could undermine the integrity of the electoral process. The implementation of cure letters in cases of ballot rejection is an effort to provide voters with an opportunity to rectify issues promptly, embodying a commitment to enhancing electoral participation while balancing concerns over election security.

Companion Bills

OK HB1999

Carry Over Elections; requiring certain procedures for rejection of absentee ballots; providing for ballot curing; effective date.

Previously Filed As

OK HB1999

Elections; requiring certain procedures for rejection of absentee ballots; providing for ballot curing; effective date.

OK SB124

Absentee ballots; modifying procedures for marking and return of ballots for certain persons. Effective date.

OK HB2782

Elections; absentee ballot applications; modifying procedures for application; effective date.

OK SB897

Absentee ballots; requiring applicant for absentee ballot to select reason for request. Effective date.

OK SB1016

Absentee ballots; requiring applicant for absentee ballot to select reason for request. Effective date.

OK HB1902

Elections; authorizing absentee voter to cast provisional ballot; providing exceptions; effective date.

OK HB2030

Elections; authorizing absentee voter to cast provisional ballot; providing exception; effective date.

OK HB2344

Elections; establishing procedures for voters with a disability to request ballot; providing for ballot and balloting materials to be sent via electronic transmission; effective date.

OK SB376

Absentee voting; modifying procedures for marking and return of ballot for certain persons; clarifying signature requirement for certain affidavit. Effective date.

OK HB2056

Elections; providing time limit for resubmission of canceled registration; authorizing printing of additional ballots in certain circumstances; prohibiting vote centers on election day; effective date; emergency.

Similar Bills

OK HB2792

Civil procedure; forms; Oklahoma Bar Association; Administrative Office of the Courts; Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN) website; effective date.

OK HB2792

Civil procedure; forms; Oklahoma Bar Association; Administrative Office of the Courts; Oklahoma State Courts Network (OSCN) website; effective date.

OK SB329

Absentee ballots; establishing alternative procedures for execution of absentee ballot affidavits; requiring opportunity to cure defective application or affidavit. Effective date.

OK HB2921

Elections; requiring certain procedures for rejection of absentee ballots; providing for ballot curing; effective date.

OK HB4159

Elections; requiring certain procedures for rejection of absentee ballots; providing for ballot curing; effective date.

OK HB1999

Elections; requiring certain procedures for rejection of absentee ballots; providing for ballot curing; effective date.

OK HB3625

Elections; ballots; curing procedures; effective date.

OK HB3179

Civil procedure; eviction; affidavit and summons; effective date.