Signed by Governor Kevin Stitt

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes procedures for filling U.S. Senate vacancies through a special election.

Highlights:

• Specifies whenever a vacancy will occur in the office of a member of the United States House of Representatives from Oklahoma, such vacancy will be filled at a Special Election to be called by the Governor, who shall issue a Writ of Election within 30 days after such vacancy occurs (Sec. 1.A).

• Specifies if a vacancy or irrevocable resignation occurs in the office of a member of the United States Senate from Oklahoma, the vacancy will be filled as provided. The special election called by the Governor will be subject to the following provisions (Sec. 1.C):

• A Special Primary, Runoff Primary and General Election will be held concurrently with the next available regularly scheduled statewide Primary, Runoff Primary and General Election, and a special candidate filing period will be on the same dates as the regular candidate filing period for those elections;

• Provided, if a vacancy occurs in an even-numbered year on or before March 1, then the special election, if necessary, will be held that same year. However, if the vacancy occurs after March 1 in an even-numbered year, then the special election will be held at the next subsequent regularly scheduled statewide regular Primary, Runoff Primary and General Elections;

• Provided, if the vacant office is already scheduled to be filled for a full term at the next available regularly scheduled election, then no special election shall be called. In such case, the candidate elected to the office at the regularly scheduled election will be deemed to also have been elected to fill the vacancy and shall be eligible to assume the office upon the official certification of the election by the State Election Board; and

• An irrevocable resignation will occur when a member of the United States Senate from Oklahoma provides a written letter of resignation to the Secretary of State that serves notice of the Senate member’s resignation on a date certain.

• Specifies when a vacancy occurs in the office of a member of the United States Senate from Oklahoma, the Governor will, within 30 days of occurrence of the vacancy (Sec. 2.C):

• Appoint a person eligible to hold such office, who has been a registered voter of the party of the predecessor in Oklahoma for at least 5 years preceding the date that the vacancy was created, to serve in such office until a successor is elected; and

• Call a special election, if necessary, to fill such vacancy.

• Requires a person who is a prospective appointee to submit to the Secretary of State an oath affirming that the person will not file as a candidate for the office when it next appears on the ballot. The Secretary of State will prescribe the oath required by this paragraph, and any oath submitted will be public record and published on the website of the Office of the Secretary of State (Sec. 2.D).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with House amendments, amend, and pass a bill that establishes procedures for filling U.S. Senate vacancies through a special election.

Highlights:

• Specifies whenever a vacancy will occur in the office of a member of the United States House of Representatives from Oklahoma, such vacancy will be filled at a Special Election to be called by the Governor, who shall issue a Writ of Election within 30 days after such vacancy occurs (Sec. 1.A).

• Specifies if a vacancy or irrevocable resignation occurs in the office of a member of the United States Senate from Oklahoma, the vacancy will be filled as provided. The special election called by the Governor will be subject to the following provisions (Sec. 1.C):

• A Special Primary, Runoff Primary and General Election will be held concurrently with the next available regularly scheduled statewide Primary, Runoff Primary and General Election, and a special candidate filing period will be on the same dates as the regular candidate filing period for those elections;

• Provided, if a vacancy occurs in an even-numbered year on or before March 1, then the special election, if necessary, will be held that same year. However, if the vacancy occurs after March 1 in an even-numbered year, then the special election will be held at the next subsequent regularly scheduled statewide regular Primary, Runoff Primary and General Elections;

• Provided, if the vacant office is already scheduled to be filled for a full term at the next available regularly scheduled election, then no special election shall be called. In such case, the candidate elected to the office at the regularly scheduled election will be deemed to also have been elected to fill the vacancy and shall be eligible to assume the office upon the official certification of the election by the State Election Board; and

• An irrevocable resignation will occur when a member of the United States Senate from Oklahoma provides a written letter of resignation to the Secretary of State that serves notice of the Senate member’s resignation on a date certain.

• Specifies when a vacancy occurs in the office of a member of the United States Senate from Oklahoma, the Governor will, within 30 days of occurrence of the vacancy (Sec. 2.C):

• Appoint a person eligible to hold such office, who has been a registered voter of the party of the predecessor in Oklahoma for at least 5 years preceding the date that the vacancy was created, to serve in such office until a successor is elected; and

• Call a special election, if necessary, to fill such vacancy.

• Requires a person who is a prospective appointee to submit to the Secretary of State an oath affirming that the person will not file as a candidate for the office when it next appears on the ballot. The Secretary of State will prescribe the oath required by this paragraph, and any oath submitted will be public record and published on the website of the Office of the Secretary of State (Sec. 2.D).

Full Bill Text