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2010 State Ballot Questions
State Question 744 - In Short: One of the more highly-debated questions on the ballot, 744 stems from an initiative petition in 2009 that garnered more than enough signatures to get it on the ballot. Supporters say Oklahoma is far behind neighboring states in education funding while the opposition says it will cost Oklahomans billions of dollars that would have to come from significant budget cuts elsewhere, increased taxes or both. See a full breakdown of SQ 744 on Ballotpedia.Actual Ballot Text:
The measure repeals a Section of the State Constitution. The repealed section required the Legislature annually to spend $42.00 for each common school student. Common schools offer pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade.Result: Measure failed 81 percent to 19 percent
The measure also adds a new Article to the Constitution. It sets a minimum average amount the State must annually spend on common schools. It requires the State to spend annually, no less than the average amount spent on each student by the surrounding states. Those surrounding states are Missouri, Texas, Kansas, Arkansas, Colorado and New Mexico. When the average amount spent by surrounding states declines, Oklahoma must spend the amount it spent the year before.
The measure deals with money spent on day-to-day operations of the schools and school districts. This includes spending on instructions, support services and non-instruction services. The measure does not deal with money spent to pay debt, on buildings or on other capital needs.
The measure requires that increased spending begin in the first fiscal year after its passage. It requires that the surrounding state average be met in the third fiscal year after passage.
The measure does not raise taxes, nor does it provide new funding for the new spending requirements.
State Question 746 - In Short: The Oklahoma legislature passed a measure requiring voters to present photo identification issued by the state, federal government or a tribe, but Governor Brad Henry vetoed it. The legislature's response was to send the issue to a vote. See a full breakdown of SQ 746 on Ballotpedia.
Actual Ballot Text:
This measure amends statutes relating to voting requirements. It requires that each person appearing to vote present a document proving their identity. The document must meet the following requirements. It must have the name and photograph of the voter. It must have been issued by the federal, state or tribal government. It must have an expiration date that is after the date of the election. No expiration date would be required on certain identity cards issued to persons 65 years of age or older.Result: Measure passed 74 percent to 26 percent
In lieu of such a document, voters could present voter identification cards issued by the County Election Board.
A person who cannot or does not present the required identification may sign a sworn statement and cast a provisional ballot. Swearing to a false statement would be a felony.
These proof of identity requirements also apply to in-person absentee voting. If adopted by the people, the measure would become effective July 1, 2011.
State Question 747 - In Short: Currently in Oklahoma, a Governor can only serve two consecutive terms but can seek election again after four years have passed. SQ 747 will set the limit as eight years in a lifetime for state positions: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Treasurer, Labor Commissioner, Auditor and Inspector, School Superintendent and Insurance Commissioner. See a full breakdown of SQ 747 on Ballotpedia.
Actual Ballot Text:
This measure amends sections 4 and 23 of Articles 6 and section 15 of Article 9 of the State Constitution. It limits the ability of voters to re-elect statewide elected officers by limiting how many years those officers can serve. It limits the number of years a person may serve in each statewide elected office. Service as Governor is limited to eight years. Service as Lieutenant Governor is limited to eight years. Service as Attorney General is limited to eight years. Service as Treasurer is limited to eight years. Service as Commissioner of Labor is limited to eight years. Service as Auditor and Inspector is limited to eight years. Service as Superintendent of Public Instruction is limited to eight years. Service as Insurance Commissioner is limited to eight years. Service as a Corporation Commissioner is limited to twelve years.Result: Measure passed 70 percent to 30 percent
Service for less than a full term would not count against the limit on service. Years of service need not be consecutive for the limits to apply.
Officers serving when this measure is passed can complete their terms. All such serving officers, except the Governor, can also serve an additional eight or twelve years.
2010 State Ballot Questions Continued on Page 2 and Page 3...
Voting Information
Registered voters can cast a ballot using one of several methods:- By absentee ballot after filling out an application.
- Using several early opportunities at their County Election Board.
- Or at their regular polling location on November 2nd.
