SQ 834: Citizenship Requirement for Voting Amendment

State Question 834 will be on the ballot on November 5, 2024. 

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The Gist

State Question 834 would amend Section 1 of Article III of the Oklahoma Constitution to clarify that only citizens of the United States are qualified to vote in the state.

Current language reads: 

“Subject to such exceptions as the Legislature may prescribe, all citizens of the United States, over the age of eighteen (18) years, who are bona fide residents of this state, are qualified electors of this state.”

Suggested constitutional amendment:

“Subject to such exceptions as the Legislature may prescribe, only citizens of the United States who are over the age of eighteen (18) years and who are bona fide residents of this state, are qualified electors of this state.”

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Background Information

Oklahoma has reserved the right to vote for citizens ever since the Oklahoma Constitution was ratified in 1907 and modernized its language as recently as 1978 with the citizen-approved State Question 531. This year, a legislator-initiated ballot initiative seeks to amend the state constitution to clarify that only citizens of the United States are qualified to vote in Oklahoma.

This follows a national trend in other states, including Alabama, Louisiana, Colorado, and Florida, which have made changes to the state constitutions to specify that only citizens, and not non-citizens, can vote. Practically, SQ 834 would not change any existing law or practice in Oklahoma; it would preempt municipalities from allowing non-citizen residents to vote in local elections. 

To be clear, there are no municipalities in Oklahoma that allow non-citizens to vote.

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Ballot Language

“This measure amends Section 1 of Article 3 of the Oklahoma Constitution. It clarifies that only citizens of the United States are qualified to vote in this state.”

Shall the proposal be approved? 

For the proposal – YES; Against the proposal – NO

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Supporters Say…

  • It will clearly state who is eligible to vote in Oklahoma and avoid possible confusion.
  • It would prohibit any municipalities from expanding voter eligibility for local elections to non-citizens.
  • It will protect against possible voter fraud.

Opponents Say…

  • The Oklahoma constitution already makes clear that only citizens can vote in Oklahoma.
  • It is already a felony for non-citizens to register to vote in Oklahoma.
  • Studies have found no evidence of widespread non-citizen voting in either Oklahoma or the United States.

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Deadlines

Registration

Absentee Ballot Request 

Absentee Ballot Submission

  • Received or Hand Delivered by November 5, 2024 at 7 p.m.

Early Voting

  • Thursday, October 31, 2024: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Friday, November 1, 2024: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Saturday, November 2, 2024: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Election Day

More About State Question 834

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gabriela joined OK Policy as an Immigration Policy Analyst in August 2021. Raised in Oklahoma City, she graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies with minors in German, Arabic, and International Security Studies. During college Gabriela had internships at the Council on American-Islamic Relations Oklahoma, the Office of former Congresswoman Kendra Horn, and she took part in events to help educate first-generation Latinx students on how to attend college. Gabriela looks forward to using her skills at OK Policy to work towards a more equitable future for all Oklahomans.