STATE QUESTION 846
An Unnecessary and Overbroad Constitutional Change
State Question 846 adds a new Section 6 to Article 3 of the Oklahoma Constitution requiring “proof of identity” for all methods of voting and directing the Legislature to define the specific requirements.
Oklahoma already requires proof of identity under statute—a policy approved by voters in 2010 and consistently enforced. Current law provides clear standards, including government-issued photo identification, voter registration cards, and provisional ballot safeguards. SQ 846 makes no immediate improvement to election security. Instead, it inserts vague language into the Constitution and grants future Legislatures expansive authority to redefine what constitutes acceptable identification.
A NO vote preserves the proper distinction between statute and Constitution. Enduring constitutional principles should not be used as vehicles for ordinary policy that can already be adjusted through the legislative process. Embedding broad, undefined authority risks future restrictions that go beyond current balanced requirements. Oklahoma’s elections are already among the most secure in the nation. Strengthening public confidence does not require amending the Constitution to give lawmakers open-ended power over voting rules.