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
The introduction of ranked-choice voting could significantly shift the landscape of electoral proceedings in the state. The proposed amendment mandates that elections for various offices, including U.S. Senators, U.S. Representatives, Governors, State Senators, and State Representatives, will take place under this new voting system. This may lead to a more nuanced reflection of voters' preferences and could potentially reduce the occurrence of 'wasted' votes, as voters are no longer compelled to choose only one candidate.
Summary
HJR1023 proposes an amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution, establishing the Oklahoma Ranked Choice Voting Act. This act introduces a new method for casting and tabulating votes, allowing voters to rank candidates in order of preference. The proposed system aims to enhance electoral fairness by ensuring that candidates acquire the broadest support possible. With this amendment, the State Election Board is charged with implementing the necessary changes as voting processes are upgraded in Oklahoma.
Contention
Discussions around HJR1023 indicate that while proponents view ranked-choice voting as a means of strengthening democracy by better reflecting voter preferences, critics may raise concerns about the complexity of the voting process. Some members of the legislature and part of the public may question the effectiveness and the potential for confusion or misinterpretation during elections, as this new method is markedly different from the traditional voting systems familiar to most voters. The amendment also potentially alters established constitutional provisions regarding electoral processes in the state.
Carry Over
Constitutional amendment; creating the Oklahoma Rank Choice Voting Act; created a method of casting and tabulating votes in order of preference; ballot title; filing.
Constitutional amendment; creating the Oklahoma Rank Choice Voting Act; created a method of casting and tabulating votes in order of preference; ballot title; filing.
Oklahoma Constitution; specifying power of redistricting; creating the Citizens' Independent Redistricting Commission; providing for duties of the Commission and the Secretary; ballot title; filing.