Bill > SB834

This bill prohibits open primaries (also known as "jungle primaries") in Oklahoma, which are voting systems that allow voters to vote for candidates across party lines without regard to their own party affiliation. The bill defines an open primary as a voting system where voters can participate in a primary election regardless of their party registration and where candidates from all parties can be voted on together. Specifically, the legislation bans any election conducted by the State Election Board, county election boards, or municipalities from using such a voting system. Any existing or future local government ordinances that conflict with this prohibition will be deemed void, and any elections conducted using an open primary system will also be considered invalid. Furthermore, the bill grants the Secretary of the State Election Board the authority to file civil lawsuits to enforce this prohibition and seek declaratory or injunctive relief. The bill is set to take effect on November 1, 2025, and aims to maintain traditional party-specific primary election procedures in Oklahoma.

Justice

http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=sb834&Session=2600