Rep. Horn criticizes Legislature on voting bill
GOP challengers back increasing ballot requirements
U.S. Rep. Kendra Horn said Friday that absentee ballot requirements approved by the Oklahoma Legislature this week “will only make it harder for Oklahomans to safely make their voices heard in this year's elections.”
“We should make it safer and more accessible to vote during the COVID-19 crisis, not add new hurdles,” said Horn, D-Oklahoma City.
But the four leading Republicans vying to challenge Horn support the GOP-controlled Legislature's move to require absentee ballots be notarized.
One of the GOP hopefuls, state Sen. Stephanie Bice, of Oklahoma City, voted on Thursday for the bill that effectively reversed an Oklahoma Supreme Court decision that tossed the notary requirement.
Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the bill, which will make an exception for the June 30 primaries and allow voters to submit a photocopy of identification with their mailed ballots.
B ice said Friday that Oklahoma voters approved a state question in 2010 requiring proof of identification to vote.
“Due to this week' s Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling, the Legislature found it important to protect the integrity of our election
process byre-affirming the notary requirement for absentee ballots. Without this legislation, Oklahomans who vote in person would be required to show photo ID, but those voting absentee would have no verification requirement.”
“Oklahoma' selection system has been lauded as one of the most secure in the country ,” said Republican candidate J anet Barresi, of Oklahoma City.
“I appreciate the work of the state Legislature to act swiftly to correct this issue and that Governor Stitt signed the bill.”
David Hill, an Oklahoma City Republican, said, “Requiring absentee ballots to be notarized is critical to preventing voter fraud and protecting the integrity of our elections. The Oklahoma Supreme Court ruling was wrongly decided and weakens our voting laws.”
Republican Terry Neese, of Oklahoma City, blasted the high court' s decision this week, saying, “Allowing absentee ballots to be submitted without notarization is a reckless and dangerous decision that will open the gates to voter fraud in our elections.”
Horn said Friday she agreed with the high court“that voters should not be required to have their mail- in ballot notarized.”
“The new barriers to voting enacted by our state Legislature this week will only make it harder for Oklahomans to safely make their voices heard in this year's elections,” she said.
Horn represents the 5 th Congressional District, which includes most of Oklahoma County and Pottawatomie and Seminole counties.
B ice noted that the bill includes a provision allowing for a photocopy of identification for absentee ballots for the June 30 primaries. A runoff may be necessary to decide the GOP nominee for the race. Runoff primaries are set for Aug. 25.