Download and review a complete copy of the Secretary of State's Outline of the Oklahoma Statewide Initiative and Referendum Process HERE.  

Overview & Administrative Scope

This page provides general guidance regarding the administration of statewide initiative and referendum petitions in Oklahoma pursuant to 34 O.S. § 27. The Oklahoma Secretary of State serves as the administrative intake agency and official record repository for citizen-led statewide petition filings. This information is provided for general reference only and does not constitute legal advice or formal interpretation of state law.

Types of Statewide Petitions

Under Oklahoma law, citizens may exercise their constitutional right to propose or challenge state laws through three distinct types of statewide petitions:Under Oklahoma law, citizens may exercise their constitutional right to propose or challenge state laws through three distinct types of statewide petitions:

• Initiative Petition – Constitutional Measure: Proposes adding new language or amending existing provisions of the Oklahoma Constitution. Requires signatures equal to 15% of the total votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election.

• Initiative Petition – Statutory Measure: Proposes enacting new statutes or amending current Oklahoma Statutes. Requires signatures equal to 8% of the total votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election.

• Referendum Petition: Proposes repealing or modifying a legislative act (House Bill or Senate Bill) passed during the current legislative session before it takes effect. Requires signatures equal to 5% of the total votes cast in the most recent gubernatorial election.
  • Note on Emergency Clauses: Legislation enacted with an Emergency Clause takes effect immediately upon executive or legislative approval and is constitutionally exempt from referendum petitions.

Initial Filing Requirements & Process

Before collecting signatures, proponents must initiate an official filing with the Office of the Secretary of State:

1. Document Preparation: Proponents must draft the proposed text, a suggested Ballot Title, and a concise Gist of the Proposition (printed at the top of every signature sheet). Proponents do not draft signature sheets or circulator affidavits; these are generated electronically by the Secretary of State.
2. Pre-Filing Request & Notice: Proponents request an official Initiative or Referendum Filing Packet by emailing executivelegislative@sos.ok.gov and notify the office of the intended filing date, time, and delivery method.
3. Formal Submission & Fee: Proponents submit original petition documents with handwritten signatures, completed filing forms, and the mandatory $500 filing fee (cash, check, or money order). Copies are also transmitted to the Office of the Attorney General.
4. Administrative Boundaries: The Secretary of State serves strictly as a regulatory repository. The Secretary of State does not draft, edit, or provide legal advice on proposed measures.
5. Gist Review & Public Notice: The Secretary of State reviews the proposed gist for legal compliance under 34 O.S. § 3. Upon acceptance, the Secretary of State issues an official receipt and publishes a Notice of Filing in a statewide newspaper to initiate the initial 90-day protest window.

Key Statutory Amendments (Senate Bill 1027 - Effective May 23, 2025)

Proponents and circulators must adhere to updated petition requirements under Title 34:

• Gist Pre-Review: Mandates administrative review of the proposed gist by the Secretary of State prior to publishing notice of filing.

• Circulator Qualifications: Circulators must be verifiable, qualified electors of Oklahoma and file completed disclosure statements. Compensation on a per-signature basis is prohibited.

• Funding & Weekly Reporting: Proponents must submit weekly financial disclosure reports verifying that all circulation funds originate from in-state sources.

• County-Level Signature Caps: Signatures counted toward constitutional or statutory thresholds are capped per county based on gubernatorial voter turnout (11.5% max per county for statutory/referendum measures; 20.8% max per county for constitutional measures).

• Signature Withdrawal Rights: Registered voters may submit a formal request to withdraw their signature from a petition prior to final filing.

Signature Requirements & Record Access

1. Statewide Signature Requirements & Thresholds

Signature thresholds recertify every four years following each gubernatorial election. The required number for a specific petition remains fixed based on the date of its initial filing.

• Referendum Petition: 5% of votes cast for Governor

• Statutory Initiative Petition: 8% of votes cast for Governor

• Constitutional Initiative Petition: 15% of votes cast for Governor

To view current signature requirements and per county thresholds, visit the Oklahoma Secretary of State Statewide Petition Signature Requirements Page.

2. State Questions Record Log

To inspect active petition filings, track status, or examine historical filings, access the Oklahoma Secretary of State Search State Question Records Portal.

Relevant Governing Law

The statewide initiative and referendum process is governed by the following constitutional and statutory authorities:

• Oklahoma Constitution, Article V (Initiative and Referendum): Reserves legislative power to the people and establishes signature percentages and timeline boundaries.
• Oklahoma Constitution, Article XXIV (Constitutional Amendments): Governs procedures for constitutional revisions and convention calls.
• Oklahoma Statutes, Title 34 (Initiative and Referendum): Codifies administrative filings, gist reviews, circulator affidavits, county signature caps, and Supreme Court protest windows.

Oklahoma Secretary of State - Executive Legislative Records Division