The Oklahoma Enabling Act, passed by Congress in 1906, provided for the admission of Oklahoma as a state in the Union. It included several stipulations that had to be incorporated into the new Oklahoma state constitution:
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Bill of Rights: The constitution was required to include a Bill of Rights, ensuring individual freedoms and protections similar to those found in the U.S. Constitution.
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Prohibition of Certain Laws: Certain laws, such as those regarding the restriction of civil rights based on race or color, were prohibited.
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Education: The constitution had to establish a system for public education and include provisions for the establishment and support of public schools.
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Revenue and Taxation: There were stipulations regarding the structure of state revenue and taxation, directing that certain kinds of taxes, such as those imposed on property, had to be uniform.
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Local Government: The enabling act required that the new state constitution contain provisions for local government organization.
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Land Ownership: There were stipulations regarding land ownership and the rights of both settlers and Native Americans, particularly concerning land allotments.
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Voting Rights: Provisions for voting rights were included, although these were subject to the broader context of racial and gender equality not fully realized in that era.
These requirements were intended to ensure that Oklahoma's state constitution aligned with federal standards while also addressing the specific needs and conditions of the state, considering its unique history and demographics.
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