Call Governor Henry; Let Oklahoma Vote

From Norma Sapp, Executive Director of Oklahomans for Initiative Rights:

Here in Oklahoma we have the toughest ballot initiative process in the country. With only 90 days to collect hundreds of thousands of signatures, it’s no wonder that only three initiatives have made the ballot in the last ten years! Right now, we have a historic chance to change that, but only if you contact Governor Brad Henry today.

Ask Governor Henry to do his part to clean up the initiative process and give Oklahomans time to petition by signing two important initiative reform bills that passed the legislature overwhelmingly.

These bipartisan bills—Senate Bill 800 and House Bill 2246—make important improvements to the initiative process. HB 2246 increases the 90 day time limit for circulating a petition to one year, giving citizens enough time to collect signatures. SB 800 streamlines the process and protects citizens from having petitions unjustly thrown out on a mere technicality.

I have traveled all over the state in the past few weeks talking to citizens at the grassroots level about the initiative process. After going to 70 cities and towns and braving nearly as many tornadoes, I can tell you firsthand that the people of Oklahoma want an accessible initiative process. Right now we can have it.

Both of these bills are on the governor’s desk waiting for his signature. These changes are desperately needed to give Oklahomans back a voice in government. Pick up the phone right now and call the Governor’s office at (405) 521-2342. You can also email the governor by clicking here.