State Lawmaker Hopes To Change Way Some Oklahoma Lawmakers Are Elected

With just a couple of weeks to go before the start of the 2022 legislative session in Oklahoma, one lawmaker is proposing a new bill focused on the election ballot.

Democrat Andy Fugate, who represents Oklahoma's 94th district in Del City, has filed House Bill 3059.

The bill would allow voters to decide whether to retain an incumbent legislator who is not facing a challenger in that election.

"I'm a big believer in doing government better,” said Fugate. “To me having the people having the opportunity to decide who represents them, that's better," said Fugate.

Fugate said the process would be similar to what voters already do with judges.

In this case, lawmakers not facing opposition would appear on the ballot with a simple yes or no to retain them.

To stay in office, the lawmaker would need at least 50 percent of "yes" votes, plus one.

"We do this all time with state questions,” said Fugate. “We do it in municipal ordinances, so it's not uncommon for the people to say yes or no we want this."

Fugate hopes to gain bipartisan support for it, but admits he's unsure it'll make it to the Governor's desk.

"I have no illusions of the fact that it's probably not going to be very popular, but it is the right thing to do," said Fugate.

He said he's open to changing the wording in it. Other issues with state law may still need to be worked out.

Governor Stitt's office said it doesn't comment on proposed legislation.