OKLAHOMA CITY – Today, the Supreme Court of Oklahoma heard oral arguments for PR-123179 McVay v. Cockroft to determine the constitutionality of SB 1027. The legislation imposes several new restrictions on Oklahoma’s initiative petition process including restrictions on the number of signatures collected within a county and who can collect signatures. 

SB 1027 also requires the Oklahoma Secretary of State to approve each initiative petition gist. Because the Secretary of State is a Governor appointed position, this measure impedes the intentions of the original initiative petition process to allow Oklahomans to make policy decisions independent of the legislature and the Governor.

Oklahoma House Democrats say this legislation places unnecessary restrictions on the initiative petition process, in turn, silencing Oklahoma voters. 

“The entire purpose of the initiative petition process is so that Oklahomans can propose changes to policy when the legislature does not,” said Oklahoma House Democratic Leader Cyndi Munson, D-Oklahoma City. “SB 1027 takes away Oklahomans’ right to fairly create meaningful change when those in power are unwilling. House Democrats have been against this legislation since day one because we recognize the way it infringes on Oklahomans and their constitutional right to petition the government.”

Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, attended the oral arguments at the Oklahoma Supreme Court. 

“Article 2, Section 1 of the Oklahoma Constitution is crystal clear: all political power is inherent in the people,” said Fugate. “Not the legislature, not the Governor, not the courts, but the people. SB 1027 is a direct assault on that principle. It strips Oklahomans of their constitutional right to bypass politicians and propose their own changes to our laws and our constitution. 

“The legislature has no business deciding when or how to take power away from the people. When SB 1027 was debated, I offered an amendment to let the people decide its fate. The majority voted it down. Even that small measure of respect for the people’s voice was too much for them in their rush to strip away the power of the people. 

“Today’s oral arguments before the Oklahoma Supreme Court affirmed exactly what Oklahoma Democrats warned about in the House: SB 1027 is unconstitutional and undemocratic. While the Court’s decision is still ahead, one thing is certain: Oklahoma House Democrats stood up to defend the rights of Oklahomans and to ensure that the people's voice is not silenced.”

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