Oklahoma has removed more than 450,000 voters from its rolls since January 2021, Gov. Kevin Stitt declared in a statement last week. 

“The State Election Board and the Secretary of State’s office continue to go above and beyond in their responsibility to ensure only eligible Oklahomans can vote in our election,” Stitt said in the Sept. 18 statement. “Their progress reassures me that we will continue to lead the nation in election integrity efforts.”

State law requires election officials to remove voters if they die, are convicted of a felony, register to vote in another state or are inactive over several years. This routine maintenance keeps voter rolls from becoming bloated and prevents fraud. 

“Voter fraud is exceptionally rare in Oklahoma and not a major issue here,” State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax told Oklahoma Watch in 2019. “But for someone who wanted to commit fraud, the less updated your voter records are, the easier it is to do that.”

Perhaps the most controversial provision is the inactivity clause. If a registered voter does not participate in four consecutive general election cycles, the state sends them an address confirmation notice. If the voter does not respond within 60 days or the notice is returned undeliverable, the state cancels their voter registration. 

Some voter advocacy groups have criticized this practice as “use it or lose it” voter registration that disproportionately impacts minority groups. But the state defends it as a useful practice that helps keep its voter lists as up to date as possible. 

Election officials use a variety of sources, including monthly reports from the Oklahoma State Department of Health and county courts, to keep its lists up to date. Cross-checking voter lists in other states can help identify duplicate registrations. 

Because states are tasked with running their own elections, there’s no federal voter database. There have been efforts to create an interstate voter database, most notably the Electronic Registration Information Center. Oklahoma passed a bill in 2021 authorizing the state to join ERIC, but reversed course in 2023 after Republicans nationwide soured on the organization’s leadership. 

Oklahoma’s voter registration deadline is fast approaching on Oct. 11. To register to vote or confirm your registration status, visit the OK Voter Portal. 

Have thoughts, questions or story ideas? Let me know at Kross@Oklahomawatch.org.

— Keaton Ross

Recommended Reading

• Oklahoma plans to carry out third execution of 2024 unless the governor grants mercy: Emmanuel Littlejohn, who received a favorable 3-2 clemency recommendation in August, is asking for the governor to commute his sentence to life without the possibility of parole. With no action, Littlejohn will be executed on Thursday morning. [The Frontier]
• Ethics questions swirl as Oklahoma lawmaker stands to profit from potential solar farm in his district: While Rep. Justin Humphrey’s contact with a Denmark-based developer has raised questions, lawmakers can’t be served with a formal ethics complaint during an election season. [KOSU]
• Agency makes changes to proposed Oklahoma toll road following opposition from Norman residents: The OTA removed plans for frontage roads and three interchanges on the turnpike after the Norman City Council on Aug. 27 refused to support a resolution calling for the interchanges and frontage road. [Oklahoma Voice]

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