State Election Board; modifying board composition. Effective date.
SB 656 changes Oklahoma's State Election Board composition to three voting members (one from the largest political party, one from the second-largest party, and one independent voter) plus two alternates. It requires political parties to submit nominee lists to the Governor by January 15, with appointments made from those lists by March 1, 2027, and every four years after. The bill repeals previous rules about chair/vice chair appointments and clarifies that the Secretary of the Election Board serves separately at a fixed salary. This procedural bill directly affects how the Governor and political parties select board members, with terms beginning July 1, 2027.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 3, 2025
Last action Mar 3, 2025
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What changed between versions
Committee Substitute
→
Floor (Senate)
·
6 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates Oklahoma's State Election Board structure, increasing members from three to five by July 1, 2027, and changing how members are appointed to include Senate and House leadership appointments alongside Governor appointments. It also updates nomination deadlines and clarifies vacancy procedures.
Scope change
Expands State Election Board membership from 3 to 5 members and changes appointment authority to include legislative leadership
TIMELINE
Board composition changes from 3 members to 5 members effective July 1, 2027
ELIGIBILITY
New appointment authority added for President Pro Tempore of Senate and Speaker of House for two members
REQUIREMENT
Updated nomination list submission deadline from March 1, 2015 to March 1, 2027
Changed appointment submission deadline from March 15, 2015 to March 1, 2027
Updated legislative appointment deadline from June 1, 2027 to align with new timeline
TECHNICAL
Removed repealed Section 2-101.5 regarding chair and vice chair positions
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
6
Key actions
1
Committee
1
Feb 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Reported Do Pass, amended by committee substitute Judiciary committee; CR filed
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Introduced
First Reading
upper
2 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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