OPINION: Initiative petition reform needed to protect Oklahoma from outside influences

Oklahoma’s initiative petition process was designed to empower the people, allowing residents to bypass the Legislature when lawmakers fail to act in the public’s best interest. Unfortunately, what was once a tool for direct democracy by Oklahomans and for Oklahomans has increasingly been manipulated by out-of-state interest groups and wealthy donors to push left-wing policies in a deeply conservative state. We’re now hearing that the groups that poured money and external resources into campaigns to legalize marijuana, expand Medicaid and push soft-on-crime policies are now among those strategizing on how to legalize abortion on demand through the ballot box and force blanket primaries on our parties. 

Oklahoma is one of two dozen states with an initiative petition process that allows for direct democracy by voters. It is important to note that we are not a democracy but rather a republic. If you need proof, go look at Article 4 Section 4 of the U.S. Constitution or recite the Pledge of Allegiance. But when outside organizations exploit the system to push policies that don’t reflect our values, it ceases to be a true representation of the people. The integrity of the process is compromised when those pushing for change don’t live in our communities and can force through reforms that don’t affect them.

For too long, initiative petition campaigns have visited a limited number of Oklahoma’s 77 counties — sometimes only collecting signatures in Oklahoma City and Tulsa to place a question on the ballot. This has allowed national, leftist groups to bypass the majority of Oklahomans, especially those in rural areas, to impose their agenda on our state. That’s why I’m carrying Senate Bill 1027, which puts guardrails on this process to make sure those who want to change our state laws and constitution are honest with their petition’s gist, transparent about their finances and talk to voters in more counties before they can advance a question to the ballot.

In recent weeks, I’ve heard a lot of misleading information and outright lies being spread about my bill. Contrary to some claims, this bill does not shut down the initiative petition process or stop any Oklahomans from participating. This measure simply ensures the process is more transparent and representative of the entire state. Some argue that restricting out-of-state money or requiring signatures from across the state will suppress these petitions. I vehemently disagree. If Oklahomans are going to live with the results of initiative petitions, then a diverse cross-section of Oklahomans should have a say in whether they appear on the ballot.

SB 1027 requires that signature gatherers must be residents of this state because only Oklahomans should be able to change our laws. This will prevent ultra-wealthy individuals and groups from bringing in out-of-state workers to get their petitions on the ballot. SB 1027 also ensures that the language used in initiatives is clear and honest, allowing voters to fully understand what they are being asked to approve.

Most importantly, this legislation requires that signature gathering occurs beyond the state’s two major metropolitan areas. Currently, signature gatherers only need to visit 2.5% of counties to get an initiative on the ballot. That means these campaigns can ignore most of the state. For too long, rural voters have been disenfranchised from the initiative petition process. That stops now. Rural Oklahomans deserve a voice in what goes on the ballot. 

The reality is that outside groups have consistently manipulated our current initiative petition process to force their priorities on our state. The Legislature must act now to ensure our laws reflect Oklahomans’ values, not the interests of liberal outsiders. SB 1027 protects Oklahomans from the tyranny of outside influences.

Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, represents Senate District 6, which includes all of Bryan, Choctaw and Atoka counties and parts of Johnston and Pushmataha counties.