Unlocking the Ballot Box: Policies to Promote Voter Access And Engagement in Oklahoma
Unlocking The Ballot Box
Policies to Promote Voter Access and Engagement in Oklahoma by David Blatt, Ph.d., with drafting support from Colleen McCarty, Esq.
Oklahoma has one of the poorest functioning democracies in the nation.
We've spent the last few months analyzing other election systems and done a landscape analysis of the most probable election reforms to increase the health of our democracy. As we begin to engage with Election Justice in the 2024 election year, this policy paper will guide us as we try to increase the electoral participation of young voters, previously incarcerated voters, as well as disabled and home-bound voters in Oklahoma.
Oklahoma continues to be ranked among the worst states in studies of electoral systems and our rates of electoral participation are among the lowest in the nation.
As we approach the 2024 election cycle, this is a good time to ask how Oklahoma has done in strengthening the state’s electoral system and enhancing our democratic process. The short answer is that we are still not doing well at all. Oklahoma continues to be ranked among the worst states in studies of electoral systems and our rates of electoral participation are among the lowest in the nation.
Although policymakers have taken some positive steps to make the franchise more accessible, these have been largely offset by measures that restrict access to the ballot. We’ve gone three steps forward and two steps back. As a result, there continues to be an urgent need for elected officials to adopt common-sense election reforms that would help promote voter access and engagement in Oklahoma.
Recommended Reforms From The Report
Young voters - those 18-24 - have by far the lowest turnout rates. Allowing youth to preregister to vote at age 16 and be automatically registered to vote once they turn 18 has been shown to increase voter turnout among young people by 2-13%.
Preregistration
Oklahoma has among the earliest deadlines to register to vote in the nation. Nearly two dozen states have adopted Election Day registration, which has been shown to significantly boost turnout without increasing the risk for voter fraud.
Election Day Registration
Oklahoma allows the shortest period of time for in-person early voting of any state that provides it - just 3 days. All of Oklahoma’s neighbors provide for early voting starting at least two weeks before a general election.
Extended Early Voting
While Oklahoma allows for no-excuse absentee voting, it imposes numerous hurdles on those seeking to vote absentee and requires voters to reapply for absentee ballots at least once a year. Sixteen states allow voters the choice to join a permanent absent voting list - some extend the choice to all voters, others only to those who are disabled.
Permanent Absentee Voting
Re-enfranchisement of Non-Incarcerated People With Felony Records
While all but two states bar felons from voting while in prison, an increasing number grant voting rights to those with felony convictions who are serving their sentences in the community on probation or parole. Restoring the right to vote to individuals as soon as they leave prison helps them become fully integrated, productive citizens.
Oklahoma’s current primary system effectively shuts out the growing number of registered independents from having a voice in selecting general election candidates and encourages candidates who appeal to their party’s most mobilized base. Opening the primary process through various possible mechanisms will give more Oklahomans a meaningful role in the electoral process.
Open Primaries
Unlocking the Ballot Box
Policies to Promote Voter Access And Engagement in Oklahoma is now live and free to read and download.