HB 2938 Oklahoma House · 2026 Regular Session

Elections; Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act; modifying definition; intent to return; bona fide resident; effective date.

HB 2938 would restrict voting rights for Oklahoma residents who move to another state or country. It prohibits individuals who permanently relocate (or intend to stay indefinitely) from voting in state, county, or local elections - allowing only national elections. Exceptions apply to federal/state government employees required to relocate and those moving temporarily with plans to return to Oklahoma. The bill takes effect November 1, 2026, and would be codified under Oklahoma Statutes §4-125.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Feb 11, 2026

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What changed between versions

Introduced → Proposed Policy Committee Substitute 1 · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was amended by the Policy Committee to replace the original text with a new version that clarifies voting eligibility rules for military and overseas voters under the Uniform Military and Overseas Voters Act. The amendment adds specific definitions for covered voters, including those with intent to return to Oklahoma, and modifies eligibility criteria for individuals born outside the state who have never been bona fide residents of Oklahoma.

Scope change

The bill's scope was modified to more precisely define who qualifies as a covered voter and under what conditions they may vote in state, local, or national elections, particularly for overseas and military voters.

DEFINITION

Added detailed definitions for 'covered voter', 'dependent', 'federal postcard application', 'federal write-in absentee ballot', 'military-overseas ballot', 'overseas voter', 'uniformed service', 'uniformed-service voter', and 'United States'.

ELIGIBILITY

Modified eligibility criteria to include specific conditions for overseas voters who were bona fide residents of Oklahoma before leaving the United States and those born outside the United States who meet residency requirements.

REQUIREMENT

Updated the statute to clarify that individuals with intent to return to Oklahoma may vote in state or local elections, while those with indefinite intent to return are limited to national elections.

TECHNICAL

Changed the bill title from 'An Act relating to elections' to 'An Act relating to elections; amending 26 O.S. 2021, Section 14-137' to reflect the specific statutory amendment being made.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Feb 11, 2026

Lower · Passed

Policy recommendation to the Government Oversight committee; Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Elections and Ethics

lower

Feb 3, 2026

Committee

Referred to Elections and Ethics

lower

Feb 2, 2026

Introduced

First Reading

lower

2 primary · 0 co-sponsors