HB 2425: Elections; primary elections; dates of elections; candidacy; effective date. - Oklahoma

Proposed Committee Substitute (full committee) 1 → Floor (House) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to transition from a 'Proposed Committee Substitute' to a 'Committee Substitute' for the House Floor, incorporating specific text changes to election dates and procedures. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a new provision allowing special elections for federal, state, or local vacancies to be held on dates specified in subsection B (typically the first Tuesday in March for even-numbered years), rather than being restricted to the dates listed in subsection B for general special elections. This expands the available dates for filling vacancies and addresses emergency scenarios.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include specific provisions for filling vacancies in federal, state, and local offices via special elections, in addition to the existing provisions for regular and special elections.

TIMELINE

Added a new provision allowing special elections for vacancies or emergencies to be held on dates specified in subsection B (e.g., first Tuesday in March for even-numbered years), expanding the available election dates beyond the standard special election schedule.

TECHNICAL

Updated the header and title to reflect the document as a 'Committee Substitute' for the House Floor version, replacing the 'Proposed Committee Substitute' designation.

Adjusted formatting and line numbering throughout the document to align with the floor version of the bill.

House Committee Substitute → Proposed Committee Substitute (full committee) 1 · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to change the primary election date from the first Tuesday in March to the third Tuesday in June for even-numbered years. Additionally, the special election dates were updated to align with the new primary schedule, removing the previous March date and adding a new January date for special elections.

Scope change

The scope of the bill was modified to alter the timing of primary elections and special elections, affecting when voters cast ballots for candidates and fill vacancies.

TIMELINE

The primary election date was moved from the first Tuesday in March to the third Tuesday in June for even-numbered years.

Special election dates were adjusted; the previous March date was removed, and a new January date was added for special elections.

The list of prohibited election dates was updated to reflect the new primary and special election schedules.

Introduced → House Committee Substitute · 6 edits

MODERATE

The bill was updated from its original introduction to a committee substitute version, changing the legislative session from 2025 to 2026 and replacing the 'Elections Act of 2025' title with a description of specific statutory amendments. The core policy changes involve shifting primary election dates to March of even-numbered years, moving runoff primaries to June of even-numbered years, and expanding the list of allowable dates for special elections to include additional months and odd-numbered years.

Scope change

The bill's scope shifted from establishing a new 'Elections Act of 2025' to amending existing Oklahoma Statutes (26 O.S. 2021) regarding primary, runoff, and special election dates and procedures.

TIMELINE

Primary elections are now directed to be held on the first Tuesday in March of each even-numbered year, replacing the previous June date.

Runoff primary elections are now directed to be held on the third Tuesday of June of even-numbered years, replacing the previous August date.

New dates were added permitting elections to be held on the first Tuesday of March in any even-numbered year and the fourth Tuesday of August in any odd-numbered year.

The list of allowable dates for special elections was expanded to include the second Tuesday of February, first Tuesday of April, third Tuesday of June, fourth Tuesday of August (odd years), and various December dates.

The Governor's authority to call special elections was expanded to include new dates in January, March, May, July, September, October, and December.

TECHNICAL

The bill text was updated to reflect the 2nd Session of the 60th Legislature (2026) instead of the 1st Session (2025), and the title was changed to reflect specific statutory amendments rather than a new act.

Elections; primary elections; dates of elections; candidacy; effective date.

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