Bill would require reason for absentee ballot request for each election
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - A bill is making its way through the legislature that would require extra steps for absentee voters. Oklahoma has one of the lowest voter turnouts in the country, but the author said more is needed to instill confidence in our elections.
"When people trust the system, they're much more inclined to vote," said Rep. Molly Jenkins, R-Cushing.
Rep. Jenkins wants voters to explain why they cannot vote in person when they vote absentee.
Her proposed new law would change the way we do things now, which is allowing absentee voting with no questions asked.
"By checking a box, indicating why you are voting absentee," said Rep. Jenkins.
Voters would need to indicate a reason listed ranging from conflicts to age disability or illness.
You can find the listed reasons in the bill summary below.
"And above the nine reasons listed in the bill, convenience is not one of them," said Lynn Staggs, president of the non-partisan organization, League of Women Voters of Oklahoma.
Staggs said she believes voters should not have to justify why they want to vote absentee.
The bill also requires the voter to specify which election the absentee ballot is for.
"Whereas previously people could ask for an absentee ballot for the complete year," said Staggs.
We also talked to Nancy Ward, who just recently received a Pay it 4Ward award for being a disability advocate.
She said having to get the absentee ballot notarized for each election is already a hardship for her community. Few states require this extra step.
"Because a lot of us don't drive. That's an undue hardship for people with disabilities," said Ward. "You're asking them to have to have somebody, if they need support, for each time that we have a vote."
"Really, it's not a hurdle. All you have to do is take a few seconds and check a box," said Jenkins.
Jenkins and Staggs agree, Oklahoma elections are already secure.
They disagree on the negative impact this could have on voter turnout.
"Unfortunately, Oklahoma is one of the lowest, and has at times been the lowest voter turnout," said Staggs.
"When people trust the system they're much more likely to be involved in the process," said Jenkins.
Representative Jenkins said President Trump is hoping for same-day voting. This bill is her effort to get Oklahoma one step closer to that.