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Oklahoma State Question 820, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (March 2023)

From Ballotpedia
Oklahoma State Question 820
Flag of Oklahoma.png
Election date
March 7, 2023
Topic
Marijuana
Status
DefeateddDefeated
Type
State statute		Origin
Citizens

Oklahoma State Question 820, theMarijuana Legalization Initiative, was on theballot inOklahoma as aninitiated state statute onMarch 7, 2023. It wasdefeated.

A "yes" votesupported legalizing recreational marijuana for adults 21 years old and older, allowing adults to possess up to one ounce (28.35 grams) of marijuana and grow up to six mature marijuana plants and up to six seedlings, and enacting a tax on marijuana sales.

A "no" voteopposed legalizing recreational marijuana for adult use in Oklahoma.

Contents

Election results

Oklahoma State Question 820

ResultVotesPercentage
Yes217,07838.33%

DefeatedNo

349,28461.67%
Results are officiallycertified.
Source


Overview

What would State Question 820 have done?

See also:Text of measure

State Question 820 would have legalized marijuana for adults 21 years old and older. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority would have been responsible for marijuana business licensing and regulations. Individuals would have been allowed to possess, transport, and distribute up to one ounce (28.35 grams) of marijuana, eight grams of marijuana in a concentrated form, and/or eight grams or less of concentrated marijuana in marijuana-infused products. Marijuana sales would have been taxed at 15%. Under the initiative, individuals could have possessed up to six mature marijuana plants and up to six seedlings. The initiative would have also provided a process for individuals to seek the expungement or modification of certain previous marijuana-related convictions or sentences.

Tax revenue generated from marijuana sales would have been used to finance the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority's implementation of the initiative with the remaining funds to be appropriated as follows:

30% to the state general fund;30% to grants for public school programs to support student retention and performance, after-school and enrichment programs, and substance abuse prevention programs;20% to grants for government agencies and not-for-profit organizations to fund drug addiction treatment and overdose prevention programs;10% to the state judicial revolving fund; and10% to the municipalities or counties where the marijuana was sold.

Who was behind the campaigns surrounding the initiative?

See also:Support,Opposition, andCampaign finance

Yes on 802-Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws sponsored the initiative. The committee raised $5.03 million.[1] The campaign said, "If a person makes one minor mistake with marijuana, they can land in jail and be saddled with a life-long criminal record that can make it hard to get a job, an apartment, student loans, or a credit card. This law will prevent unnecessary arrests and allow people to clean their record. In states that have legalized, arrests for simple marijuana offenses are down 70 to 90 percent — freeing up time and money for the state to focus on more serious issues. Fewer arrests also means our courts aren’t clogged with petty marijuana cases. State Question 820 will create a sensible program tailored to Oklahoma, carefully balancing personal freedom with responsible regulation. Products will be tested, labeled, and tracked from seed-to-sale; employers will be able to maintain a drug-free workplace; and it keeps penalties in place for anyone who gives marijuana to someone under 21."[2]

Protect Our Kids- No 820 led the campaign in opposition to the measure. The committee raised $279,450.26. Opponents included the Oklahoma State Chamber, Oklahoma Farm Bureau, Oklahoma Faith Coalition, Oklahoma Baptist General Convention, and GovernorKevin Stitt (R). Protect Our Kids said, "SQ 820 does NOT limit on THC content. This puts our kids at even more risk. According to medical doctors, when children ingest high THC edibles that look like candy, cookies, or chips they are at risk for siezures or even coma. SQ 820 will encourage more violence. We have already had execution style killings in Oklahoma related to the marijuana black market. Law enforcement agrees passage of SQ 820 will provide more cover for illegal activity. SQ 820 fails to address the very real concerns of foreign ownership of our land, as well as excessive water and electricity usage that strains our infrastructure."[3]

Why was this measure on the 2023 ballot?

See also:Path to the ballot

Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws, proponents of State Question 820, were initially targeting the 2022 ballot and submitted enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. However, due to legal challenges and statutory deadlines for ballot inclusion, the measure could not be placed on the 2022 ballot and was set to be voted on at a later election date. On October 18, 2022, Governor Kevin Stitt (R) ordered the measure on the March 7, 2023, ballot.[4]

In 2020, Oklahoma GovernorKevin Stitt (R), who opposedState Question 802, a Medicaid expansion initiative, ordered the measure to appear on the June 30 primary ballot rather than the November 3 general election ballot. In 2018, Oklahoma GovernorMary Fallin (R) placedState Question 788, the medical marijuana initiative, on the June primary ballot. Prior to 2018, a governor had not selected a date different from the general election for an initiative since 2005.[5]

What was the status of recreational marijuana in the United States going into the election?

See also:Background

Going into the election, 21 states and Washington, D.C., had legalized the possession and personal use of marijuana for recreational purposes.[6][7][8][9]

  • In 12 states and D.C., the ballot initiative process was used to legalize marijuana.
  • In two states, the legislature referred a measure to the ballot for voter approval.
  • In seven states, bills to legalize marijuana were enacted into law.

Marijuana legalization measures were on the 2022 ballot inArkansas,Maryland,Missouri,North Dakota, andSouth Dakota. The measures were approved in Maryland and Missouri and were defeated in Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

Measure design

Click on the arrows (▼) below to read more about the provisions of State Question 820.

Marijuana use and possession: quantity limitations and home grow provisions

State Question 820 was designed to legalize the personal use, possession, cultivation, transport, and distribution of marijuana for adults 21 years old and older. Individuals would have been allowed to possess, transport, and distribute up to one ounce (28.35 grams) of marijuana, eight grams of marijuana in a concentrated form, and/or eight grams or less of concentrated marijuana in marijuana-infused products.[10][11]

Under the initiative, individuals could have possessed up to six mature marijuana plants and up to six seedlings as long as the plants were kept in one private residence and were not visible from a public place. Up to twelve mature plants and twelve seedlings could have been kept on the grounds of a private residence at one time.[10]

Marijuana business licensing and regulation: Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority licensing and regulations

The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) would have been responsible for the regulation of marijuana, marijuana retail establishments, marijuana cultivation establishments, and marijuana testing facilities in Oklahoma.

The initiative would have required the OMMA to develop regulations to implement the program, including:[10]

  • establish licensing processes, procedures, and fees;
  • develop standards, procedures, and requirements for cultivation, manufacturing, distributing, dispensing, and testing marijuana products;
  • create labeling standards listing THC and CBD amounts and establish packaging requirements;
  • establish security requirements;
  • create procedures to prevent sales to underage individuals;
  • prohibit advertising marijuana products that would be attractive to children or resemble candy or other products;
  • create aseed-to-sale marijuana tracking system;
  • provide that no adult-use dispensaries may be located within 1,000 feet from a school; and
  • prohibit adult-use dispensaries from selling tobacco or alcohol at the same location.

The initiative would have provided that the OMMA should regulate adult-use marijuana as similarly as possible to how it regulates medical marijuana.[10]

For the first two years, the OMMA would have only accepted adult-use license applications from businesses that had held a medical marijuana business license for at least one year.[10]

Taxation of marijuana sales: taxes levied on marijuana sales and revenue dedications

Marijuana sales would have been taxed at 15%. The tax would not have applied to medical marijuana patients.

Tax revenue from marijuana sales would have been used to finance the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority's implementation of the initiative with remaining funds appropriated as follows:[10]

  • 30% to the state general fund;
  • 30% to grants for public school programs to support student retention and performance, after-school and enrichment programs, and substance abuse prevention programs;
  • 20% to grants for government agencies and not-for-profit organizations to fund drug addiction treatment and overdose prevention programs;
  • 10% to the state judicial revolving fund; and
  • 10% to the municipalities or counties where the marijuana was sold.

Local control: Local and municipal regulation of marijuana

A local government could not have banned or limited the number of adult-use businesses in their jurisdictions, but would have been allowed to regulate the time, place, and manner of operation of adult-use businesses "as long as those regulations are not unduly burdensome."[10]

Expungement: expungement for certain marijuana-related convictions and records

The initiative would have provided a process for individuals to seek the expungement or modification of certain previous marijuana-related convictions or sentences.[10]

A person who was serving a sentence or who had completed a sentence for a marijuana-related offense could have applied to have their conviction reversed, dismissed, or resentenced if the person would have been guilty of a lesser offense or not guilty of any crime had the provisions of the initiative been in effect at the time of the conviction. The courts would have been required to grant the resentencing or conviction reversal unless the state proved by clear and convincing evidence in a hearing that "granting the petition would pose an unreasonable risk of danger to an identifiable individual's safety." For those who would have been granted a vacated or modified sentence, any outstanding fines, court costs, and fees would have been waived.[10]

Legal penalties: penalties for violating the initiative's provisions

The initiative would have set the following penalties for violating the personal use marijuana laws:

  • a $250 fine for growing marijuana plants that are visible and recognizable from a public place;
  • a $25 fine for smoking or vaping marijuana in a public place where smoking tobacco is prohibited;
  • a $100 fine (or the option to attend four hours of drug counseling) for the use or possession of marijuana by an individual under the age of 21; and
  • a $200 fine for the possession, production, or delivery of marijuana in quantities beyond what is allowed with the option for eight hours of drug counseling for an individual under 21.

State Question 820 would have provided that marijuana odor, the smell of burnt marijuana, possessing marijuana, or the suspicion of possessing marijuana would not have constituted "reasonable articulable suspicion of a crime," except for crimes related to operating a motor vehicle under the influence or if there was evidence that the individualwas in possession of marijuana exceeding the allowed limits.


Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title was as follows:[10]

“

This measure creates a state law legalizing recreational use marijuana for persons 21 or older. Marijuana use and possession remain crimes under federal law. The export of marijuana from Oklahoma is prohibited. The law will have a fiscal impact on the State. The Oklahoma Tax Commission will collect a 15% excise tax on recreational use sales, above applicable sales taxes. Excise tax revenues will fund implementation of the law, with any surplus revenues going to public school programs to address substance abuse and improve student retention (30%), the General Revenue und (30%), drug addiction treatment programs (20%), courts (10%), and local governments (10%). The law limits certain marijuana-related conduct and establishes quantity limits, safety standards, restrictions, and penalties for violations. A local government may prohibit or restrict recreational marijuana use on the property of the local government and regulate the time, place, and manner of the operation of marijuana businesses within its boundaries. However, a local government may not limit the number of, or completely prohibit, such businesses. Persons who occupy, own, or control private property may prohibit or regulate marijuana-related conduct. except that a lease agreement may not prohibit a tenant from lawfully possessing and consuming marijuana by means other than smoking. The law does not affect an employer's ability to restrict employee marijuana use. For the first two years, marijuana business licenses are available only to existing licensees in operation one year or more. The law does not affect the rights of medical marijuana patients or licensees. The law requires resentencing, reversing, modifying, and expunging certain prior marijuana-related judgments and sentences unless the State proves an unreasonable risk to a person. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority is authorized to administer and enforce the law.

Shall the proposal be approved?

For the proposal- YES

Against the proposal- NO[12]

”

Full text

The full text of the measure can be read below.[13]

Readability score

See also:Ballot measure readability scores, 2023

Using theFlesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) andFlesch Reading Ease (FRE) formulas, Ballotpedia scored the readability of the ballot title for this measure. Readability scores are designed to indicate the reading difficulty of text. The Flesch-Kincaid formulas account for the number of words, syllables, and sentences in a text; they do not account for the difficulty of the ideas in the text. The initiative proponents wrote the ballot language for this measure.

TheFKGL for the ballot title is grade level 14, and theFRE is 25. The word count for the ballot title is 295.


Support

Yeson820.jpg

Yes on 820 - Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws (OSML) led the campaign in support of the measure.[14]

Supporters

Organizations


Arguments

  • Michelle Tilley, an initiative sponsor: "The goal of SQ 820 is to regulate the production, testing, and sale of cannabis products for adults, aged 21 and older in Oklahoma through an accountable system that ensures the highest safety and health standards. It is time for Oklahoma to stop criminalizing people for minor marijuana offenses and to bring in more money for education and health care. That is what this initiative will do. SQ 820 proposes a statutory change, not a proposed constitutional amendment. Marijuana policy is still evolving and the Oklahoma legislature has shown it is ready to deal with issues as they arise. Whether it is a change in federal law or some yet unforeseen development in Oklahoma, lawmakers won’t have to amend the constitution to respond."
  • Kris Masterman, co-founder of ORCA and a former proponent of marijuana initiatives State Questions 818 and 819: "As a former proponent of State Questions 818 and 819, I realize that many of us in the cannabis community had similar goals but different methods,” Masterman said. “Now is the time to unite behind SQ 820, vote yes on March 7, and ensure that Oklahoma is able to take the next big step forward. We can’t succeed as a community if we allow yesterday’s divisions to impede today’s progress."
  • Director of the ACLU of Oklahoma and former State Rep. Ryan Kiesel (D): "[By passing SQ820] we’re going to make the businesses that are currently following the law…. more competitive with the illicit market and operators that aren’t fully compliant with the laws and regulations. I think that we're going to drive a lot of that [illicit] market out of Oklahoma."
  • Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws: "If a person makes one minor mistake with marijuana, they can land in jail and be saddled with a life-long criminal record that can make it hard to get a job, an apartment, student loans, or a credit card. This law will prevent unnecessary arrests and allow people to clean their record. In states that have legalized, arrests for simple marijuana offenses are down 70 to 90 percent — freeing up time and money for the state to focus on more serious issues. Fewer arrests also means our courts aren’t clogged with petty marijuana cases. State Question 820 will create a sensible program tailored to Oklahoma, carefully balancing personal freedom with responsible regulation. Products will be tested, labeled, and tracked from seed-to-sale; employers will be able to maintain a drug-free workplace; and it keeps penalties in place for anyone who gives marijuana to someone under 21."


Opposition

No820.jpg

Protect Our Kids- No 820 led the campaign in opposition to the measure.[15]

Opponents

Officials

Organizations

  • NOto820
  • Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police
  • Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association
  • Oklahoma District Attorneys Association
  • Oklahoma Faith Leaders
  • Oklahoma Farm Bureau
  • Oklahoma Sheriffs' Association
  • Oklahoma State Chamber

Arguments

  • Oklahoma Faith Coalition: "Oklahoma is being overrun by marijuana. Our state has more licensed marijuana dispensaries (2,545) than Colorado (544) and California (913) combined, according to the L.A. Times. SQ 820 lowers the threshold for child endangerment. The ballot measure expressly removes the smoking or use of marijuana around children as a cause of child endangerment AND prohibits courts from considering marijuana use in child custody cases. SQ 820 does not address foreign ownership of land. Foreign nationals, including Chinese, Mexicans and Russians, are purchasing Oklahoma farm land illegally, bringing in labor and sex trafficking. Our rural farmers and communities are suffering. Marijuana grow facilities have emerged by the thousands, placing a significant strain on rural Oklahoma’s utility providers, water use and causing uncertainty with neighboring agricultural operations. We don’t want more organized crime coming to our state. According to the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Oklahoma is the leading source of illegal marijuana in the U.S.SQ 820 does not limit the THC level that can be sold. Oklahoma has more dispensary licenses than gas stations. Oklahoma has 1,856 gas stations (according to eia.gov) and 2,545 dispensary licenses."
  • Rev. Darryl Wooten of Oklahoma Assemblies of God: "If you want to increase tax revenue find another way. This bill is poorly written [and] creates challenges for our schools [and] obstacles for our overly taxed law enforcement."
  • Protect Our Kids- No 820: "It’s NOT OK to smoke Marijuana around children, but this state question expressly changes the threshold for child endangerment by specifically permitting smoking of marijuana around children. SQ 820 hampers single parents trying to protect their children. The fine print on the state question prohibits courts from considering abuse of marijuana in child custody and visitation cases. SQ 820 will lead to more infants and toddlers overdosing. Oklahoma already averages reporting one marijuana overdose a day for children under five years old. Other states have seen these numbers triple when adding recreational. Child overdoses will be more severe. SQ 820 does NOT limit on THC content. This puts our kids at even more risk. According to medical doctors, when children ingest high THC edibles that look like candy, cookies, or chips they are at risk for siezures or even coma. SQ 820 will encourage more violence. We have already had execution style killings in Oklahoma related to the marijuana black market. Law enforcement agrees passage of SQ 820 will provide more cover for illegal activity. SQ 820 fails to address the very real concerns of foreign ownership of our land, as well as excessive water and electricity usage that strains our infrastructure."
  • Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R): "It is still illegal federally. We should not have a checkerboard of jurisdiction across the states."
  • Oklahoma Baptist General Convention: "We believe that states should protect their people from the proliferation of recreational marijuana. We pray that Oklahoma will maintain legal barriers between these substances and the communities they devastate and that the church will work with Christ-centered ministries to reach people who are impacted by addiction."


Media editorials

See also:2023 ballot measure media endorsements

Ballotpedia lists the positions of media editorial boards that support or oppose ballot measures. This does not include opinion pieces from individuals or groups that do not represent the official position of a newspaper or media outlet. Ballotpedia includes editorials from newspapers and outlets based on circulation and readership, political coverage within a state, and length of publication. You can share media editorial board endorsements with us ateditor@ballotpedia.org.

Support

  • Tulsa World Editorial Board: "... We do not believe that prohibition is the way to stop teenagers — or adults — from using intoxicating substances. If anything, through its drug laws, our country has criminalized brain health disorders. ... Compared to the medical marijuana law, SQ 820 is stricter and more comprehensive. ... We support SQ 820 to bring better scrutiny and safety to the users, growers and community. This is a more honest way of having legal marijuana than the weed-by-the-wink system Oklahoma has now."


Opposition

You can share campaign information or arguments, along with source links for this information, ateditor@ballotpedia.org.


Campaign finance

See also:Campaign finance requirements for Oklahoma ballot measures
The campaign finance information on this page reflects the mostrecent scheduled reports that Ballotpedia has processed, which covered throughJune 30, 2023.


Yes on 820-Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws sponsored the initiative. The committee raised $5.03 million and spent $5.02 million.[1]

No on 820-Protect Our Kids registered as a committee to oppose the initiative. The committee reported $279,450.26 in contributions and $279,450.26 in expenditures.[16]

Cash ContributionsIn-Kind ContributionsTotal ContributionsCash ExpendituresTotal Expenditures
Support$4,802,728.20$232,220.51$5,034,948.71$4,789,934.25$5,022,154.76
Oppose$273,180.00$6,270.26$279,450.26$273,180.00$279,450.26
Total$5,075,908.20$238,490.77$5,314,398.97$5,063,114.25$5,301,605.02

Support

The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committee in support of State Question 820.[1]

Committees in support of State Question 820
CommitteeCash ContributionsIn-Kind ContributionsTotal ContributionsCash ExpendituresTotal Expenditures
Yes on 820-Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws$4,802,728.20$232,220.51$5,034,948.71$4,789,934.25$5,022,154.76
Total$4,802,728.20$232,220.51$5,034,948.71$4,789,934.25$5,022,154.76

Donors

The following were the top five donors to the support committee.[1]

DonorCash ContributionsIn-Kind ContributionsTotal Contributions
The Just Trust for Action$2,059,500.01$111,900.00$2,171,400.01
New Approach Advocacy Fund$725,319.95$25,000.00$750,319.95
American Civil Liberties Union$531,155.49$54,320.51$585,476.00
Action Now Inc$300,000.00$0.00$300,000.00
Drug Policy Action$218,000.01$0.00$218,000.01

Opposition

The following table includes contribution and expenditure totals for the committee in opposition to the measure.[1]

Committees in opposition to State Question 820
CommitteeCash ContributionsIn-Kind ContributionsTotal ContributionsCash ExpendituresTotal Expenditures
Protect our Children No 820$273,180.00$6,270.26$279,450.26$273,180.00$279,450.26
Total$273,180.00$6,270.26$279,450.26$273,180.00$279,450.26

Donors

The following were the donors who contributed $25,000 or more to the opposition campaign.[1]

DonorCash ContributionsIn-Kind ContributionsTotal Contributions
State Chamber of Oklahoma$86,100.00$0.00$86,100.00
Greater OKC Chamber$50,000.00$0.00$50,000.00
Mo Anderson$25,000.00$0.00$25,000.00
Oklahoma Farm Bureau$25,000.00$0.00$25,000.00
Oklahoma Temporary Service Inc$25,000.00$0.00$25,000.00

Methodology

To read Ballotpedia's methodology for covering ballot measure campaign finance information,click here.

Background

Medical marijuana in Oklahoma

See also:State Question 788 (2018)

Oklahoma voters approved medical marijuana throughState Question 788 in June 2018 by a vote of 57% to 43%. The measure legalized the licensed cultivation, use, and possession of marijuana for medicinal purposes. The measure required a state-issued medical marijuana license to have a board-certified physician's signature. The measure required no specific qualifying conditions to receive medical marijuana. The measure allowed people with licenses to possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana on their person and 8 ounces of marijuana in their residence. A 7 percent tax was levied on marijuana sales, with revenue allocated to administrative costs, education, and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. The measure required licenses to operate dispensaries, commercial growing operations, and processing operations. The measure prohibited municipalities from restricting zoning laws to prevent marijuana dispensaries.[17]

Recreational marijuana in the U.S.

See also:History of marijuana ballot measures and laws


As of June 2025, 24 states and Washington, D.C., had legalized the possession and personal use of marijuana for recreational purposes.[6][18][19][20]

  • In 13 states and D.C., the ballot initiative process was used to legalize marijuana.
  • In two states, the legislature referred a measure to the ballot for voter approval.
  • In nine states, bills to legalize marijuana were enacted into law.


The following table provides information about when and how recreational marijuana became legal.

Timeline and process of recreational marijuana legalization
StateYear legalizedProcess usedVotes on ballot measures
ForAgainst
Colorado2012Initiative55.32%44.68%
Washington2012Initiative55.70%44.30%
Alaska2014Initiative53.23%46.77%
Oregon2014Initiative56.11%43.89%
Washington, D.C.2014Initiative70.06%29.94%
California2016Initiative57.13%42.87%
Maine2016Initiative50.26%49.74%
Massachusetts2016Initiative53.66%46.34%
Nevada2016Initiative54.47%45.53%
Michigan2018Initiative55.89%44.11%
Vermont2018LegislationN/AN/A
Illinois2019LegislationN/AN/A
Arizona2020Initiative60.03%39.97%
Montana2020Initiative56.90%43.10%
New Jersey2020Referral67.08%32.92%
New York2021LegislationN/AN/A
Virginia2021LegislationN/AN/A
New Mexico2021LegislationN/AN/A
Connecticut2021LegislationN/AN/A
Rhode Island2022LegislationN/AN/A
Maryland2022Referral67.20%32.80%
Missouri2022Initiative53.10%46.90%
Delaware2023LegislationN/AN/A
Minnesota2023LegislationN/AN/A
Ohio2023Initiative57.19%42.81%


Comparison of ballot measures to legalize recreational marijuana

The following table compares a selection of ballot measure provisions, such as possession limits, local control, taxes, and revenue dedications.

Click "Show" to expand the table.

Comparison of marijuana ballot measure provisions, 2012-2023
MeasurePossession limitsHomegrown plantsLocal controlState taxesRevenue
Marijuana legalization ballot measures that were approved, 2012-2023
Ohio Issue 2 (2023)• 2.5 ounces of marijuana and up to 15 grams of marijuana concentrates• Six marijuana plants per individual or 12 plants per household• A municipality cannot limit research on marijuana, levy a tax or fee on marijuana businesses, prohibit home growing of marijuana, or limit anything authorized by the initiative. A municipality can adopt an ordinance or resolution by a majority vote to prohibit or limit the number of cannabis operators in the territory. If such an ordinance or resolution is adopted, a dispensary needs to cease operations within 60 days. A dispensary can file a petition with the board of elections within the 60-day timeframe to request a public vote on whether or not the dispensary should remain open.• 10% sales tax• 36% to the cannabis social equity and jobs fund to fund the implementation of the program; 36% to the host community cannabis fund to provide funds to jurisdictions with adult-use dispensaries based on the percentage of adult-use tax attributable to each municipality or township; 25% to the substance abuse and addiction fund to fund the department of mental health and addiction services in alleviating substance and opiate abuse and supporting related research; and 3% to the division of cannabis control and tax commissioner fund to fund operations of the division of cannabis control.
Maryland Question 4 (2022)• Not specified• Not specified• Not specified• Not specified• Not specified
Missouri Amendment 3 (2022)• 3 ounces of marijuana• Grow up to six flowering plants, six nonflowering plants, and six clones, if the person is registered to cultivate marijuana plants• Local government may prohibit operation of all marijuana facilities located within its jurisdiction
• Local government may enact ordinances governing time, place, and manner of operations of marijuana facilities, as well as the public smoking and consumption of marijuana products		• 6% tax on retail price of recreational marijuana
• Governing body of any local government may impose an additional sales tax to retail sales of marijuana that cannot exceed 3%		• Veterans, Health, and Community Reinvestment Fund
Arizona Proposition 207 (2020)• 1 ounce of marijuana
• 5 grams (0.18 ounces) of marijuana concentrate		• Grow up to 6 marijuana plants• Municipalities allowed to ban or limit marijuana establishments within their boundaries• 16% excise sales tax• community college districts
• police and fire departments and fire districts
• highways
• new criminal justice fund (restorative programs, mentoring, and behavioral health)
Montana I-190 (2020)• 1 ounce of marijuana• Individuals could grow up to four marijuana plants and four seedling in a private residence in a locked space• A local government is not allowed to completely ban marijuana cultivators, testing facilities, wholesalers, or retail stores from operating in its limits; cannot prohibit the transportation of marijuana on public roads in its jurisdiction by those who are licensed to do so; allowed to pass ordinances to regulate an adult-use provider or adult-use marijuana-infused products that operate in its jurisdiction• 20% sales tax• After the tax revenue is used by the Department of Revenue to cover costs associated with implementing the initiative, 10.5% of the remaining revenue would be appropriated to the state's general fund, and the remainder would be appropriated to conservation programs, substance abuse treatment, veterans’ services, healthcare costs, and localities where marijuana is sold
New Jersey Amendment (2020)• Not specified• Not specified• Not specified• Subject to state sales tax
• Prohibits additional state sales taxes on marijuana		• Not specified
Michigan Proposal 1 (2018)• 2.5 ounces of marijuana
• 0.5 ounces of marijuana concentrate		•Grow up to 12 marijuana plants•Municipalities allowed to ban or limit marijuana establishments within their boundaries•10% excise sales tax•local governments
•K-12 education
•road and bridge maintenance
California Proposition 64 (2016)• 1 ounce of marijuana
• 0.3 ounces of marijuana concentrate		•Grow up to 6 marijuana plants•Municipalities allowed to ban or limit marijuana establishments within their boundaries•15% excise sales tax
•$9.25/ounce cultivation tax for flowers
•$2.75/ounce cultivation tax for leaves		•youth drug education, prevention, and treatment
•prevent and fix environmental damage from illegal marijuana producers
•marijuana DUI prevention and negative health effects programs
Nevada Question 2 (2016)• 1 ounce of marijuana
• 0.125 ounces of marijuana concentrate		•Grow up to 6 marijuana plants•Permits local ballot measures pertaining to zoning and land use for marijuana establishments•15% excise sales•K-12 education
Maine Question 1 (2016)• 2.5 ounces of marijuana and/or marijuana concentrate• Grow up to 6 marijuana plants• Municipalities allowed to ban or limit marijuana establishments within their boundaries• 10% excise sales tax
•The legislature added a $20.94/ounce cultivation tax on flowers and mature plants; $5.88/ounce cultivation tax on marijuana trim; $1.50 tax per immature plant; $0.30 tax per immature plant		•General Fund (legislature added public health programs and law enforcement programs)
Massachusetts Question 4 (2016)• 10 ounces of marijuana in one's home
• 1 ounce of marijuana in public
• 0.2 ounces of marijuana concentrate		• Grow up to 6 marijuana plants• Municipalities allowed to limit number of establishments and restrict the time, place, and manner of their operation
• Permits local ballot measures to ban or limit marijuana establishments within their boundaries		• 3.75% excise sales tax (legislature increased to 10.75%)• General Fund
Alaska Measure 2 (2014)• 1 ounce of marijuana• Grow up to 6 marijuana plants• Municipalities allowed to ban or limit marijuana establishments within their boundaries• $50/ounce cultivation tax• General Fund
Oregon Measure 91 (2014)• 8 ounces of marijuana in one's home
• 1 ounce of marijuana in public
• 1 ounce of marijuana concentrate		• Grow up to 4 marijuana plants• Permits local ballot measures to ban or limit marijuana establishments• 17% excise sales tax (legislature added the excise sales tax)
• $35/ounce producer tax for flowers
• $10/ounce producer tax for leaves		• K-12 education
• drug prevention and treatment
• state police
• local law enforcement
Colorado Amendment 64 (2012)• 1 ounce of marijuana
• 1 ounce of marijuana concentrate		• Grow up to 6 marijuana plants• Municipalities allowed to ban or limit marijuana establishments within their boundaries•Required the state legislature to enact taxes
•In 2013, the legislature'sProposition AA enacted a 15% excise tax on unprocessed retail marijuana and 10% (increased to 15% in 2017) sales tax on retail sales		• K-12 public education
• Proposition AA added allocations for local governments, healthcare, substance abuse prevention and treatment, and law enforcement
Washington Initiative 502 (2012)• 1 ounce of marijuana
• 0.25 ounce of marijuana concentrate		• Illegal• Municipalities allowed to ban or limit marijuana establishments within their boundaries•25% excise sales tax (legislature increased the tax to 37%)• research
• drug prevention, public health education
• healthcare
• dropout prevention, intervention
• General Fund

Political context of recreational marijuana ballot measures

The following table summarizes the political context surrounding recreational marijuana ballot measures, including whether the state's presidential voting history in the preceding three elections was Democratic, mixed, or Republican.

  • Among states with Democratic presidential voting histories, eight marijuana legalization ballot measures were approved and one was defeated.
  • Among states with Republican presidential voting histories, four marijuana legalization ballot measures were approved and nine were defeated.
  • Among states with mixed presidential voting histories, three marijuana legalization ballot measures were approved and one was defeated.

Partisan control of the 15 states approving marijuana legalization measures was Democratic in four states, divided in five states, and Republican in six states. Partisan control of the eight states rejecting marijuana legalization measures was Democratic in one state, mixed in one state, and Republican in six states.

Click "Show" to expand the table.

Political context surrounding recreational marijuana ballot measures since 2010
StateMeasureYearStatusPresidential voting history[21]State partisan control at time of vote
CaliforniaProposition 192010
Defeatedd
Democratic (Gore-Kerry-Obama)Democratic
ColoradoAmendment 642012
Approveda
Mixed (Bush-Obama-Obama)Divided
WashingtonInitiative 5022012
Approveda
Democratic (Kerry-Obama-Obama)Democratic
AlaskaMeasure 22014
Approveda
Republican (Bush-McCain-Romney)Republican
OregonMeasure 912014
Approveda
Democratic (Kerry-Obama-Obama)Democratic
OhioIssue 32015
Defeatedd
Mixed (Bush-Obama-Obama)Republican
ArizonaProposition 2052016
Defeatedd
Republican (McCain-Romney-Trump)Republican
CaliforniaProposition 642016
Approveda
Democratic (Obama-Obama-Clinton)Democratic
MaineQuestion 12016
Approveda
Democratic (Obama-Obama-Clinton)Divided
MassachusettsQuestion 42016
Approveda
Democratic (Obama-Obama-Clinton)Divided
NevadaQuestion 22016
Approveda
Democratic (Obama-Obama-Clinton)Republican
North DakotaMeasure 32018
Defeatedd
Republican (McCain-Romney-Trump)Republican
MichiganProposal 12018
Approveda
Mixed (Obama-Obama-Trump)Republican
ArizonaProposition 2072020
Approveda
Mixed (Romney-Trump-Biden)Republican
MontanaInitiative 1902020
Approveda
Republican (Romney-Trump-Trump)Divided
New JerseyAmendment2020
Approveda
Democratic (Obama-Clinton-Biden)Democratic
South DakotaAmendment A2020
Approveda/Overturnedot
Republican (Romney-Trump-Trump)Republican
ArkansasIssue 42022
Defeated
Republican (Romney-Trump-Trump)Republican
MarylandQuestion 42022
Approved
Democratic (Obama-Clinton-Biden)Divided
MissouriAmendment 32022
Approved
Republican (Romney-Trump-Trump)Republican
North DakotaMeasure 22022
Defeated
Republican (Romney-Trump-Trump)Republican
South DakotaMeasure 272022
Defeated
Republican (Romney-Trump-Trump)Republican
OklahomaState Question 8202023
Defeated
Republican (Romney-Trump-Trump)Republican
OhioIssue 22023
Approved
Mixed (Obama-Trump-Trump)Republican
South DakotaInitiated Measure 292024
Defeated
Republican (Trump-Trump-Trump)Republican
North DakotaInitiated Measure 52024
Defeated
Republican (Trump-Trump-Trump)Republican
FloridaAmendment 32024
Defeated
Republican (Trump-Trump-Trump)Republican

Marijuana laws ballot measuresin 2022

In 2022, five states decided on marijuana legalization ballot measures. In the central U.S., voters inArkansas,Missouri,North Dakota, andSouth Dakota considered citizen-initiated measures to legalize marijuana. In Missouri, the initiative was approved. In Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota, the measures were defeated. InMaryland, the state Legislature voted to put the issue before voters, who approved the measure.

StateTypeTitleDescriptionResultYes VotesNo Votes
AR

CICA

Issue 4Legalize marijuana in Arkansas

Defeated

392,938 (44%)

505,128 (56%)

MD

LRCA

Question 4Legalize marijuana in Maryland

Approveda

1,302,161 (67%)

635,572 (33%)

MO

CICA

Amendment 3Legalize marijuana in Missouri

Approveda

1,092,432 (53%)

965,020 (47%)

ND

CISS

Statutory Measure 2Legalize marijuana in North Dakota

Defeated

107,608 (45%)

131,192 (55%)

SD

CISS

Initiated Measure 27Legalize marijuana in South Dakota

Defeated

163,584 (47%)

183,879 (53%)


Path to the ballot

Process in Oklahoma

Laws governing the initiative process in Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, the number of signatures required to qualify an initiated state statute for the ballot is equal to 8 percent of the votes cast for governor in the previous gubernatorial election. Signatures must be submitted 90 days after the initiative is cleared for circulation by the secretary of state. If petitioners are targeting a specific election, the secretary of state recommends that signatures be submitted eight months prior to the election; however, they must be submitted a minimum of 60 days before the election to make the ballot. Measures are generally placed on the next general election ballot following signature verification, but the governor may call a special election or place the measure on the primary ballot.

Sponsors of State Question 820 initially targeted the 2022 ballot and submitted the 94,911 valid signatures that were required. Due to delays in signature verification and an inability to include the measure on the 2022 ballot before ballot printing deadlines, Gov.Kevin Stitt (R) called a special election for the measure to be voted on in March 2023.

Details about this initiative

  • The initiative was filed by Michelle Diane Tilley Nichols and Michelle Anne Jones. Sponsors filed two versions of the initiative: #820 and #821.[11]
  • Initiative 820 was challenged in theOklahoma Supreme Court on January 24, 2022.[11]
  • The challenge against Initiative 820 was dismissed, and the initiative was cleared for signature gathering on May 3, 2022, which set the initiative-specific signature submission deadline as August 1, 2022.[11]
  • Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws (OSML) announced submitting approximately 164,000 signatures to the secretary of state's office on July 5, 2022.[22]
  • In a review of the measure's ballot title, the Oklahoma attorney general found that the ballot title was misleading on July 12, 2022, and set a new ballot title for the measure.[11]
  • On August 22, 2022, the secretary of state announced that proponents submitted 117,257 valid signatures and forwarded the signature count report to theOklahoma Supreme Court. After the supreme court determines the sufficiency of signatures, the court orders the Secretary of State to publish a notice of the signature submission, the ballot title, and notice that any citizen may file a petition with the supreme court challenging the sufficiency of the signatures or ballot title within 10 days. After the petition is found to have sufficient signatures and all challenges have been resolved, the Secretary of State notifies the governor, who issues an election proclamation. The governor’s election proclamation must be issued and certified to the State Election Board at least 70 days prior to an election in order for a state question to appear on a ballot.[23]
  • On September 21, 2022, theOklahoma Supreme Court ruled that the measure could not be placed on the 2022 ballot because challenges filed during challenge periods had not been resolved before the statutory deadline for printing and mailing ballots. The measure was set to be voted on at a later election date, either at the November 5, 2024, general election or a special election. The governor had the ability to place the question on a special election ballot at a date in 2023 or 2024.[24]
  • On October 18, 2022, Governor Kevin Stitt (R) called a special election for measure to appear on the March 7, 2023, ballot.[25]

Signature gathering cost

See also:Ballot measures cost per required signatures analysis

Sponsors of the measure hired Oklahoma Strong Consulting to collect signatures for the petition to qualify this measure for the ballot. A total of $75,341.00 was spent to collect the 94,911 valid signatures required to put this measure before voters, resulting in a total cost per required signature (CPRS) of $0.79.

Ballot language challenges in the state supreme court

Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA) challenged the New Approach initiative (#820) in theOklahoma Supreme Court, arguing that the initiative violated the state'ssingle-subject rule and that the initiative's ballot language and gist were inconsistent. The Oklahoma Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit on March 28, 2022, finding that the ballot language was legally sufficient and that petitioner Jed Green failed to establish that the gist of State Question No. 820 was misleading.[26]

  
Lawsuit overview
Issue: Whether State Question 820 adheres to the state's single-subject rule; whether the ballot language and gist are accurate
Court:Oklahoma Supreme Court
Ruling: Dismissed
Plaintiff(s): Sponsors of State Questions 818 and 819 (Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action)Defendant(s): Sponsors of State Question 820; elections officials
Plaintiff argument:
The initiative violates the state'ssingle-subject rule and the “gist is written to appeal to Oklahomans most likely to sign the document for ballot access” and “the ballot title is written to appeal to a broader group of Oklahomans at the ballot box”		Defendant argument:
"Their claims about SQ 820 are purely political and have nothing to do with the actual language of SQ 820 or whether SQ 820 will survive this protest, which we firmly believe it will"

  Source:Marijuana Moment

Further details about the case can be expanded here

Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA) filedState Question 818 to create the State Cannabis Commission to replace the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority and to regulate medical marijuana, cannabis, and hemp. The group also filedState Question 819, an initiative designed to legalize recreational marijuana.[27] OCRA challenged the New Approach initiative (#820) in theOklahoma Supreme Court, arguing that the initiative violated the state'ssingle-subject rule and that the initiative's ballot language and gist were inconsistent. State Question 820 sponsor Michelle Diane Tilley Nichols said, "Their claims about SQ 820 are purely political and have nothing to do with the actual language of SQ 820 or whether SQ 820 will survive this protest, which we firmly believe it will. However, the political games the 818/819 are playing have forced us to file another measure as insurance against the unlikely event SQ 820 does not proceed to the signature collection phase." Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action director Jed Green said, "The criminal justice reforms and restorative justice is much more potent in [ORCA’s initiatives] than it is in 820. ... We’re not just assholes that like challenging or fighting our own people. That needs be clear... What it really comes down to is, at the end of the day, in order to have the best shot of being on the ballot in November, one side has to yield to the other."[28]

The Oklahoma Supreme Court rejected the lawsuit on March 28, 2022, finding that "State Question No. 820 is legally sufficient for submission to the people of Oklahoma. Petitioner Jed Green has failed to meet his burden in establishing that State Question No. 820 is clearly or manifestly unconstitutional and that the gist of State Question No. 820 is misleading. The Court assumes original jurisdiction and denies Petitioner’s challenge to the constitutionality and sufficiency of State Question No. 820."[29]

Signature verification timeline and election certification lawsuit

Lawsuit overview
Issue: Whether the State Supreme Court can expedite the ballot title verification process and certify the question for the ballot before the challenge period ends
Court:Oklahoma Supreme Court
Ruling: Ruled against plaintiffs
Plaintiff(s): Sponsors of State Question 820Defendant(s): Elections officials

  Source:Oklahoma State Courts Network

Further details about the case can be expanded here

On August 22, 2022, the Secretary of State announced that proponents submitted 117,257 valid signatures and forwarded the signature count report to theOklahoma Supreme Court. After the supreme court determines the sufficiency of signatures, the court orders the Secretary of State to publish a notice of the signature submission, the ballot title, and notice that any citizen may file a petition with the supreme court challenging the sufficiency of the signatures or ballot title within 10 days. After the petition is found to have sufficient signatures and all challenges have been resolved, the Secretary of State notifies the governor, who issues an election proclamation. The governor’s election proclamation must be issued and certified to the State Election Board at least 70 days prior to an election in order for a state question to appear on a ballot. Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said August 29 (70 days prior to the general election) was the deadline to formally certify measures for the ballot.[30]

State Question 820 sponsors asked theOklahoma Supreme Court to expedite the ballot title verification process and include the measure on the November 2022 ballot, arguing that "The new process took about 48 days from the time we turned in our signatures until the time they were verified. In the past, that was usually about two weeks or a little longer. It’s been a new process for them, which has caused a lot of missteps along the way. They have dropped the ball, which is why we have asked the Supreme Court to intervene." The state argued for the measure to be placed on a later ballot. The State Supreme Court was set to decide on whether the measure will be placed on the November 2022 ballot.[31]

On September 21, 2022, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that proponents "have no clear legal right and [elections officials] have no plain legal duty to put SQ 820 on the November 8, 2022, general election ballot" unless it has met all statutory requirements and that "SQ 820 cannot be printed on ballots in time to comply with the deadline for mailing ballots to absentee voters." At the time of the ruling, there was a possibility for requests for rehearings for two of the legal challenges to State Question 820 that the court previously rejected. The court ruled that the measure will be voted on at the next general election following November 8, 2022, or at a special election set by the Governor or the Legislature."[32]

September challenge period lawsuits

Once signatures for an initiative are submitted, the secretary of state's office counts the signatures and submits a report to the state supreme court, which determines the sufficiency of the signatures counted by the secretary of state. After the supreme court determines the sufficiency of signatures, the court orders the secretary of state to publish a notice of the signature submission, the ballot title, and notice that any citizen may file a petition with the supreme court challenging the sufficiency of the signatures or ballot title within 10 days. The challenge period for State Question 820 began on September 1 and ended on September 15, 2022. Two challenges were filed challenging the validity of signatures submitted for the initiative and two challenges were filed challenging the initiative's ballot language. The state supreme court dismissed all of the challenges, finding that the ballot title was sufficient

Lawsuit overview
Issue: Whether the signatures for State Question 820 are valid
Court:Oklahoma Supreme Court
Ruling: Dismissed
Plaintiff(s): Former Oklahoma State Rep.Mike Reynolds (R); Paul TayDefendant(s): Elections officials, Secretary of StateBrian Bingman

  Source:Marijuana Moment

Further details about the case can be expanded here

Former Oklahoma State Rep.Mike Reynolds (R) and former gubernatorial candidatePaul Tay (I) filed lawsuits with theOklahoma Supreme Court challenging the validity of signatures submitted by proponents. Reynolds argued that the validity of signatures cannot be reviewed without taking legal action to review them and requested a 10-day signature review period. Tay argued that signatures collected on Indian lands should be invalidated. Attorneys for initiative sponsors said "As this Court is aware, ballot deadlines are looming, and time is of the essence here. Proponents thus respectfully request that the Court resolve the instant challenge quickly, to ensure that SQ820 may be submitted to a vote of the People at the upcoming November 2022 general election."[33]

Both of the challenges were dismissed by the state supreme court on September 16, 2022.[34]

Lawsuit overview
Issue: Whether the ballot language is accurate
Court:Oklahoma Supreme Court
Ruling: Dismissed
Plaintiff(s): John Stotts, Karma Robinson, and Mary Chris Barth; Jed GreenDefendant(s): Elections officials, initiative proponents

  Source:Cannabis Business Times

Further details about the case can be expanded here

A challenge to the initiative's ballot language was filed by John Stotts, former member of the Pottawatomie County Farm Bureau board of directors; Karma Robinson, president of public affairs and political communications firm GR Pro; and Mary Chris Barth, current member of the Beaver County Farm Bureau’s board of directors. The challenge alleged that the ballot language is misleading because it fails to mention that "several laws protecting children from marijuana would be removed," "possession of a firearm while under the influence of marijuana would be legalized," and "more serious marijuana crimes would be legalized or decriminalized."[35]

A second challenge to the ballot language was filed by Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action director Jed Green, sponsor of proposed competing marijuana initiatives for which no signatures were submitted by the August deadline. Green alleged that State Question 820's ballot language is misleading because it fails to mention that the initiative could be amended by the state legislature if approved by voters, public consumption fines would be limited to $25, and that medical marijuana dispensaries would need a second license to sell adult-use marijuana.[35]

In a press release published the day after the challenge period ended, the State Question 820 campaign said they "remain optimistic that the Oklahoma Supreme Court will act swiftly to dismiss the seemingly politically motivated challenges, and let the people vote."[35]

The state supreme court rejected the challenges on September 21, 2022, finding that the ballot title is sufficient.[36]

How to cast a vote

See also:Voting in Oklahoma

Click "Show" to learn more about voter registration, identification requirements, and poll times in Oklahoma.

How to cast a vote in Oklahoma

Poll times

InOklahoma, all polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Central Time. Anyone in line when the polls close must be allowed to vote.[37]

Registration

Check your voter registration statushere.

To vote in Oklahoma, one must be at least 18 years old, a United States citizen, and a resident of Oklahoma.[38]

The deadline for registration is 25 days prior to the election.

“
  • Fill out aVoter Registration Application using the OK Voter Portal "wizard." (You must print, sign, and mail or hand deliver the application to your County Election Board to complete the process.)
  • Download aVoter Registration Application from the State Election Board website. Applications are also available at your County Election Board, most tag agencies, libraries, and post offices.
  • Applications must be mailed or hand delivered to yourCounty Election Board to complete the process.
  • Register at yourCounty Election Board office.
  • Register at your local tag agency when you apply for, update, or renew your Driver License or State ID. Submitted applications will be mailed to the State Election Board by the agent at no cost.
  • Register with select public assistance agencies when you apply for, update, or renew services. Submitted applications will be mailed to the State Election Board by the agent at no cost.[12]
”
—Oklahoma State Election Board[38]

Once an applicant has been successfully registered, the county election board will mail him or her a voter identification card.[38]

Automatic registration

See also:Automatic voter registration

Oklahoma does not practiceautomatic voter registration.[6]

Online registration

See also:Online voter registration

Oklahoma has implemented an online voter registration system. Residents can register to vote by visitingthis website.

Same-day registration

See also:Same-day voter registration

Oklahoma does not allowsame-day voter registration.[39]

Residency requirements

To register to vote in Oklahoma, you must be a resident of the state.[38] State law does not specify a length of time for which you must have been a resident to be eligible.

Verification of citizenship

See also:Laws permitting noncitizens to vote in the United States

Oklahoma does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. An individual must attest that they are a U.S. citizen when registering to vote. According to the state's voter registration application, a voter who submits false information commits a "felony punishable by not more than five years in prison, by a fine of not more than $50,000, or both."[40]

All 49 states with voter registration systems require applicants to declare that they are U.S. citizens in order to register to vote in state and federal elections, under penalty of perjury or other punishment.[41] Seven states — Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, Kansas, Louisiana, New Hampshire, and Wyoming — have laws requiring verification of citizenship at the time of voter registration, whether in effect or not. One state, Ohio, requires proof of citizenship only when registering to vote at a Bureau of Motor Vehicles facility. In three states — California, Maryland, and Vermont — at least one local jurisdiction allows noncitizens to vote in some local elections. Noncitizens registering to vote in those elections must complete a voter registration application provided by the local jurisdiction and are not eligible to register as state or federal voters.

Verifying your registration

The Oklahoma State Election Board allows residents to check their voter registration status online by visitingthe OK Voter Portal.

Voter ID requirements

Oklahoma requires voters to present identification while voting.[42] Generally, voters are required to present a photo ID, but there is an exception to this requirement.

Valid forms of identification include government-issued photo IDs and county election board voter identification cards (which do not include photographs).

“A document used for proof of identity for voting must have been issued by the United States government, the State of Oklahoma, or a federally recognized tribal government.

The law requires a document used for proof of identity for voting to contain the following information:

  • The name of the person to whom it was issued
  • A photograph of the person to whom it was issued
  • An expiration date that is after the date of the election, unless the identification is valid indefinitely[12]
”

To view Oklahoma law pertaining to voter identification,click here.

See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. ↑1.01.11.21.31.41.5Oklahoma Ethics Commission, "YES ON 820 - OKLAHOMANS FOR SENSIBLE MARIJUANA LAWS," accessed December 5, 2022
  2. ↑Yes on 820, "About State Question 820," accessed July 5, 2022
  3. ↑No820.org', "About," accessed March 7, 2023
  4. ↑Oklahoma State Courts Network, "NICHOLS v. ZIRIAX," accessed September 21, 2022
  5. ↑Oklahoman, "Medicaid expansion qualifies for ballot; Stitt to set election date," accessed January 10, 2020
  6. ↑6.06.16.2NCSL, "Automatic Voter Registration," accessed October 31, 2025
  7. ↑Smart Approaches to Marijuana, "MJ Laws Map," accessed June 15, 2022
  8. ↑Marijuana Policy Project, "Map of state marijuana laws," accessed June 15, 2022
  9. ↑This number does not include South Dakota, where voters approved a marijuana legalization initiative in 2020 that was later struck down by the state's supreme court
  10. ↑10.010.110.210.310.410.510.610.710.810.9Oklahoma Secretary of State, "State Question 820," accessed August 10, 2022
  11. ↑11.011.111.211.311.4Oklahoma Secretary of State, "State Questions," accessed January 5, 2022
  12. ↑12.012.112.2Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  13. ↑Cite error: Invalid<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs namedText
  14. ↑Yes on 820, "Home," accessed July 5, 2022
  15. ↑No 820, "Home," accessed February 27, 2023
  16. ↑Oklahoma Ethics Commission, "No on 820-Protect Our Kids," accessed February 28, 2022
  17. ↑Oklahoma Secretary of State, "Initiative 788," accessed October 21, 2016
  18. ↑Smart Approaches to Marijuana, "MJ Laws Map," accessed June 15, 2022
  19. ↑Marijuana Policy Project, "Map of state marijuana laws," accessed June 15, 2022
  20. ↑This number does not include South Dakota, where voters approved a marijuana legalization initiative in 2020 that was later struck down by the state's supreme court
  21. ↑Prior three electionsbefore and/or including the election at which measure was voted on
  22. ↑Marijuana Moment, "Oklahoma Marijuana Activists Submit Signatures To Put Legalization On November Ballot," accessed July 5, 2022
  23. ↑Marijuana Moment, "Oklahoma Officials Say Marijuana Initiative Has Enough Signatures, But It Might Miss This November’s Ballot," accessed August 22, 2022
  24. ↑Oklahoma State Courts Network, "NICHOLS v. ZIRIAX," accessed September 21, 2022
  25. ↑NBC News, "Oklahoma governor sets March election on recreational marijuana," accessed October 19, 2022
  26. ↑Marijuana Moment, "Oklahoma Supreme Court Upholds Marijuana Legalization Ballot Initiative Following Legal Challenge By Competing Campaign," accessed April 9, 2022
  27. ↑Cite error: Invalid<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs namedORCA
  28. ↑Cite error: Invalid<ref> tag; no text was provided for refs namedmmo
  29. ↑Marijuana Moment, "Oklahoma Supreme Court Upholds Marijuana Legalization Ballot Initiative Following Legal Challenge By Competing Campaign," accessed April 9, 2022
  30. ↑Marijuana Moment, "Oklahoma Officials Say Marijuana Initiative Has Enough Signatures, But It Might Miss This November’s Ballot," accessed August 22, 2022
  31. ↑NonDoc, "SQ 820 group asks state Supreme Court to put marijuana vote on November ballot," accessed August 29, 2022
  32. ↑Oklahoma State Courts Network, "NICHOLS v. ZIRIAX," accessed September 21, 2022
  33. ↑Marijuana Moment, "Oklahoma Marijuana Legalization Initiative Faces Legal Challenges From Former State Lawmaker And Controversial Activist," accessed September 13, 2022
  34. ↑Marijuana Moment, "Oklahoma Supreme Court Rejects Two Challenges To Marijuana Legalization Initiative, Signaling That Final Ballot Ruling Is Imminent," accessed September 19, 2022
  35. ↑35.035.135.2Marijuana Moment, "POLITICSOklahoma Marijuana Legalization Initiative Faces Two More Legal Challenges In State Supreme Court As Complaint Deadline Close," accessed September 16, 2022
  36. ↑Marijuana Moment, "Oklahoma Supreme Court Says Marijuana Legalization Won’t Be On November Ballot, But Will Be Voted On In Future Election," accessed September 21, 2022
  37. ↑Oklahoma State Courts Network, "Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 7–104," accessed October 31, 2025
  38. ↑38.038.138.238.3Oklahoma State Election Board, "Voter Registration in Oklahoma," accessed October 31, 2025
  39. ↑NCSL, "Same-Day Voter Registration," accessed October 31, 2025
  40. ↑Oklahoma State Election Board, "Oklahoma Voter Registration Application," accessed October 31, 2025
  41. ↑Under federal law, the national mail voter registration application (a version of which is in use in all states with voter registration systems) requires applicants to indicate that they are U.S. citizens in order to complete an application to vote in state or federal elections, but does not require voters to provide documentary proof of citizenship.According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the application "may require only the minimum amount of information necessary to prevent duplicate voter registrations and permit State officials both to determine the eligibility of the applicant to vote and to administer the voting process."
  42. ↑Oklahoma State Election Board, "Facts about Proof of Identity for Voting in Oklahoma," accessed October 31, 2025
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