The Oklahoma Constitution includes specific provisions for amending itself, which facilitate a form of direct democracy. The key provisions for amending the Oklahoma Constitution are:
-
Initiative Process: This allows citizens to propose amendments to the constitution themselves. To do this, a certain number of signatures must be gathered from registered voters—currently set at 15% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election. Once the required signatures are collected, the proposed amendment is placed on the ballot for a vote by the public.
-
Referendum: This process allows citizens to vote directly on amendments proposed by the state legislature. If the legislature passes a proposed amendment, it can be referred to voters for approval or rejection during the next general election.
These provisions enable direct democracy by allowing the electorate to have a direct say in constitutional changes. Instead of relying solely on elected representatives, Oklahomans can actively participate in shaping their state constitution through both the initiative and referendum processes. This reflects a commitment to participatory governance and gives citizens a mechanism to influence significant legal changes directly.
1 answer