Bill

Bill > HB1678


OK HB1678

Elections; tie votes; selection of nominee or electee; effective date.


summary

Introduced
02/03/2025
In Committee
04/15/2025
Crossed Over
03/06/2025
Passed
05/29/2025
Dead
Signed/Enacted/Adopted
05/29/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An Act relating to election certifications; amending 26 O.S. 2021, Section 8-105, which relates to tie votes; modifying procedures for selection of nominee or electee in certain elections; providing exception to applicability of certain procedures; updating statutory language; and providing an effective date. SUBJECT: Election certifications

AI Summary

This bill amends Oklahoma election law to modify procedures for resolving tie votes in primary and general elections. Specifically, the bill updates the process for selecting a nominee or electee when candidates receive an equal number of votes. The new law provides detailed guidelines for conducting a random selection (by lot) when a tie occurs, including requirements for notifying candidates, conducting the drawing, and selecting a winner. Key changes include mandating that candidate names be written on separate pieces of paper and placed in small opaque containers within a larger transparent container, which will be tumbled to ensure randomness. The bill also specifies that candidates may designate a witness to attend the selection process, and establishes that the drawing must occur on a weekday between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. An important exception is added that these procedures do not apply to elections of state officers as defined by the Oklahoma Constitution. The bill will become effective on November 1, 2025, providing election officials and potential candidates with ample time to understand and prepare for the new tie-breaking procedures.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs, Justice

Sponsors (2)

Last Action

Becomes law without Governor's signature 05/29/2025 (on 05/29/2025)

bill text


bill summary

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bill summary

Document Type Source Location
State Bill Page http://www.oklegislature.gov/BillInfo.aspx?Bill=hb1678&Session=2500
BillText https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20ENR/hB/HB1678%20ENR.PDF
Fiscal Note/Analysis - House: Senate Amendment to House Bill https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/BILLSUM/House/HB1678%20SAHB%20BILLSUM.PDF
BillText https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20AMENDMENTS/Amendment%20and%20Engr/HB1678%20SAHB%20AND%20ENGR.PDF
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Senate: Committee Substitute https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/BILLSUM/Senate/HB1678%20CS%20BILLSUM.PDF
BillText https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20FLR/SFLR/HB1678%20SFLR.PDF
BillText https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20COMMITTEE%20SUBS/SCSH/HB1678%20SCSH.PDF
Fiscal Note/Analysis - Senate: HB1678 CS FI https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/impact%20statements/fiscal/Senate/HB1678%20CS%20FI.PDF
Committee Amendment https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20COMMITTEE%20AMENDMENTS/Senate/HB1678%20PCS.PDF
BillText https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20ENGR/hB/HB1678%20ENGR.PDF
BillText https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20FLR/HFLR/HB1678%20HFLR.PDF
Fiscal Note/Analysis - House: Committee Substitute https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/BILLSUM/House/HB1678%20CS%20BILLSUM.PDF
BillText https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20COMMITTEE%20SUBS/HCS/HB1678%20CS.PDF
Proposed Committee Substitute (full committee) 1 https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20COMMITTEE%20AMENDMENTS/House/HB1678%20FULLPCS1%20TAMMY%20TOWNLEY-MJ.PDF
Fiscal Note/Analysis - House: Proposed Committee Substitute (full committee) 1 https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/BILLSUM/House/HB1678%20FULLPCS1%20BILLSUM.PDF
Fiscal Note/Analysis - House: Introduced https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20SUPPORT%20DOCUMENTS/BILLSUM/House/HB1678%20INT%20BILLSUM.PDF
BillText https://www.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20INT/hB/HB1678%20INT.PDF
BillText https://www3.oklegislature.gov/cf_pdf/2025-26%20INT/hB/HB1678%20INT.PDF
BillText http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2025-26%20INT/hB/HB1678%20INT.PDF
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