Oklahoma Senate Bill SB654

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/25
• Refer: 2/4/25

Caption

Elections; creating certain misdemeanor offense. Effective date.

Impact

The implications of SB654 are significant as they would modify aspects of voting law in Oklahoma. By defining absentee ballot harvesting and restricting which individuals may assist voters in this process, the bill could impact voter access to absentee voting, particularly for populations that may rely on assistance, such as the elderly or disabled. The restrictions on notaries public, particularly in their ability to notarize ballots in service of others, may also complicate the absentee voting process for some individuals.

Summary

Senate Bill 654, introduced by Paxton, aims to amend existing laws governing absentee ballots in Oklahoma. The bill defines 'absentee ballot harvesting' explicitly as various actions related to the collection and submission of absentee ballots by unauthorized individuals. The bill seeks to make these activities unlawful during elections conducted by election boards or political subdivisions within the state. This may include actions such as collecting absentee ballots for others, submitting them on behalf of someone else, and misleading practices related to obtaining absentee ballots.

Contention

Notably, there may be contention surrounding the definition of absentee ballot harvesting and the enforcement of these new misdemeanor offenses. Stakeholders could argue that while the intent is to safeguard election integrity, these changes may hinder voters' ability to cast their absentee ballots, especially in communities where assistance is often necessary. Additionally, the bill enforces a penal framework that may involve criminal investigations into absentee ballot requests, which could be seen as a voter suppression tactic by opponents.