House approves election security measure

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma House of Representatives today passed legislation to empower district attorneys to investigate potential election fraud.

House Bill 2974, authored by Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland, requires the State Election Board to perform an annual query to determine how many individuals are registered at the same residential address. If more than ten registered voters share a single residential address, the State Election Board must provide a list to the secretary of the county election board who will notify the county’s district attorney to investigate any potential criminal violations.

“This is what Oklahomans all over the state are asking for—they’re wanting more election integrity,” Olsen said while debating in favor of the bill. “And again, we could respond and recognize, ‘well, we’re doing great already.’ And I would agree we’re doing great already, but we want to do better yet. I’d like to be number one in the country for election integrity.

The query, which must be performed by June 1 each year, exempts voters registered at nursing homes, veterans centers, medical facilities and multiunit housing, as well as uniformed or overseas voters.

HB2974 passed the House 66-23.