Bills ending no-excuse absentee voting and making it more difficult for state questions to reach the ballot are among the dozens of election and voting proposals eligible to be considered in 2025. 

Lawmakers also filed bills looking to expand voting access, including proposals to increase the number of early voting days. Many early voting places saw record-breaking turnout in November. 

These measures face a March 6 deadline to advance out of committee in their originating chamber. Because it’s the start of a new two-year legislative cycle, they may be considered again next year if they aren’t voted down. 

Here are five election and voting bills I’ll be tracking in the coming weeks and months: 

• House Bill 1515 by Molly Jenkins, R-Coyle: This bill ends the state’s no-excuse absentee ballot policy by requiring requesters to declare why they can’t vote in-person early or on election day. Current law allows anyone to request and return an absentee ballot with a notarized signature. 
• Senate Joint Resolution 5 by Michael Bergstrom, R-Adair: This resolution raises the threshold for a state question to pass from a simple majority to 60%. If the resolution passes the Senate and House, it would go before voters during a statewide election for a final decision. Florida passed a similar law in 2006. 
• House Bill 1005 by Jim Olsen, R-Roland: This bill requires photo identification for all elections held after Jan. 1, 2027, and directs the state to develop and roll out a voter identification card that includes a photo. Olsen chairs the House Elections and Ethics Committee, and has broad discretion to decide what bills are and aren’t heard in the committee stage.
• Senate Bill 129 by Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma CIty: This bill increases the early in-person absentee voting period from four days to two weeks preceding a general election. This proposal would align Oklahoma more closely with neighboring Texas, which had an 11-day early voting period ahead of the Nov. 5 election.  
• Senate Bill 116 by David Bullard, R-Durant: This bill requires initiative petition organizers to collect no more than 5% of signatures in a single county. If successful, the legislation could affect organizers of State Question 836, which aims to get an open primary question on the ballot in 2026. 

This list is far from comprehensive. What measures are you following, and why? Let me know at Kross@Oklahomawatch.org.

— Keaton Ross

Recommended Reading

• Efforts to raise the age of consent in Oklahoma return to Legislature: A similar proposal raising the age of consent from 16 to 18 gained traction last session, but stalled when a Democratic lawmaker proposed adding restrictions on child marriage. [Oklahoma Voice]
• The newest member of the Oklahoma Corporation Commission swears in: The swearing-in of Brian Bingman, a former secretary of state under Gov. Kevin Stitt, marks the end of Bob Anthony’s 36-year career on the Commission. During his last OCC meeting, Anthony said he was honored to serve in the role. [KOSU]
• Endorsed by Oklahoma FOP, Gentner Drummond running for governor in 2026: The open 2026 gubernatorial race will mark Drummond’s third campaign for statewide office. Emphasizing his role in combatting illegal marijuana grows and human trafficking, Drummond delivered his announcement speech over a sign reading, “Serving the people of Oklahoma, not the political elite.”
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