Communications Division
State Capitol
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73105

For Immediate Release: May 7, 2003

Audio Clip

Senator Keith Leftwich


Senator Leftwich Election Bills Signed by Governor

Senator Keith Leftwich (D-Oklahoma City) author of two important election bills that will work to improve the election process in our state announced that Senate Bill 260 and Senate Bill 3 were signed into law by Governor Brad Henry.

Both bills deal with Oklahoma’s election process with SB 260 dealing with statewide elections and SB 3 addressing the date of the Presidential Primary.

“I am very pleased that these two bills have been signed into law by Governor Henry,” said Senator Leftwich. “Oklahoma’s election process is one of the most organized in the nation and with the signing of SB 260 and SB 3, our primary dates will allow more overseas citizens to get in their vote as well as draw Presidential candidates to campaign in our state.”

The provision of SB 260 pertains to statewide elections. The bill changes the date for the runoff primary to the fourth Tuesday in August, thus giving an extra week in the runoff election. It will provide those voters overseas more time to send in their ballots.

“The measure also moves the primary to the last Tuesday in July, and the filing period from the first week of July to mid-June. This will help ensure we don’t get into a situation like Florida where military personnel don’t have an opportunity to participate. These changes should help address that concern and improve the overall process,” said Leftwich.

Under SB 3 the official date of the Oklahoma’s Presidential Primary will be the first Tuesday in February and prohibits any county, school district or municipality to hold an election during the twenty days immediately preceding the date of the primary election.

“This means the 2004 Presidential Primary will be held on February 4th. As I’ve said before, I want to help make sure that Oklahoma is as important to the presidential candidates as it is to us.”

For more information, contact:
Senate Communications Division - (405) 521-5774