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Oklahoma Lawmakers To Consider Election-Related Bills

Oklahoma State Capitol Building
Claire Donnelly
/
KGOU
Oklahoma State Capitol Building

State voting laws became a hot topic among legislators across the country after November’s election despite there being no evidence of widespread voter fraud. Now Oklahoma state senators have filed contrasting election-related bills ahead of the 2021 legislative session. 

Sen. Mary Boren (D-Norman) filed three bills that seek to increase the number of days for in-person early voting, have voters attach a copy of their ID to an absentee ballot in lieu of having it notarized and allow voters to "cure" their rejected absentee ballots.

About 4,700 absentee ballots were rejected statewide in the November election.   

In contrast, Sen. Rob Standridge (R-Norman) filed Senate Joint Resolution 19 that would put a vote to Oklahomans on a proposed amendment to the state’s constitution that would only allow absentee voting for specific reasons, such as having an illness or physical disability. Currently Oklahomans are not required to give a reason for requesting an absentee ballot. 

The 2021 legislative session begins Feb.1. 

 

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Katelyn discovered her love for radio as a student employee at KGOU, graduating from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, and then working as a reporter and producer in 2021-22. Katelyn has completed internships at SiriusXM in New York City and at local news organizations such as The Journal Record and The Poteau Daily News. Katelyn served as president of the OU chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists from 2017 to 2020. She grew up in Midland, Texas.
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