SB 1578 Summary

• Amends Oklahoma election law (26 O.S. 2011, Section 1-104) to expand primary election voting eligibility in specific circumstances.

• Allows all registered voters eligible for an office to participate in primary and runoff primary elections when one recognized political party has multiple nominees for that office, no other party has a nominee, and no Independent candidates are running.

• Permits recognized political parties to allow registered Independent voters to participate in their primary and runoff primary elections if the state party chairman notifies the State Election Board between November 1-30 of odd-numbered years.

• Requires that newly recognized political parties declare their intent to allow Independent participation when filing recognition petitions with the State Election Board.

• Takes effect January 1, 2015.