Learn all about the 5 state questions on Oklahoma's 2018 general election ballot
Oklahomans will see five state questions on their ballot in the general election on Tuesday. Veteran Staff Writer Randy Krehbiel offers the details of each.
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20 new laws that take effect Thursday in Oklahoma: Learn more about noteworthy new laws taking effect Thursday in Oklahoma.
Overview on what's on the Oklahoma ballot for the 2018 General Election: Click here for a little about candidates in the elections that will show up on the ballot on Nov. 6.
SQ 793: Eye care
FAILED: An initiative petition financed largely by Walmart, SQ 793 would insert language into the state constitution that would effectively override certain statutes regulating optometrists and opticians. The end goal is to allow big box retailers like Walmart to have optometrists and opticians in their stores without a so-called “second door.”
Under current law, stores that sell prescription eyewear must derive more than 50 percent of their revenue from eye care. Otherwise, eye clinics attached to a retailer must have a separate outside entrance – a “second door.”
Supporters – including large retailers – say SQ 793 will drive down prescription eyewear costs by increasing competition. Opponents – mostly optometrists -- say the proposed constitutional amendment would allow those retailers to offer lower quality of care and is unlikely to save consumers money in the long run.
Related:
Voters could soon decide whether to expand where optometrists can practice
SQ 801: School millages
FAILED: The Legislature proposes lifting the constitutional restrictions on the permanent school millages authorized in Article X, Section 10. Currently, 10 of the 15 mills allowed must be spent on operations, and the remaining 5 mills on construction and maintenance of buildings. SQ 801 would allow local districts to decide how to spend the proceeds from the 15 mills.
Supporters say this would give schools more budget flexibility. Opponents say it will not increase overall school funding and could be used to rationalize reducing appropriations.
Related:
Gov. Mary Fallin puts school funding state question on the Nov. 6 ballot
SQ 794: Marsy’s Law
PASSED: Also known as Marsy’s Law, SQ 794 is a constitutional amendment proposed by the Legislature that would guarantee certain rights to crime victims and their families. These include expanding the opportunities for a victim to be heard during court proceedings, speedy resolution of a case, the right to talk to prosecutors and the right to refuse interviews with defense attorneys.
Victim advocates and many district attorneys say Marsy’s Law gives those affected by crime a louder voice in judicial proceedings. Opponents – mostly defense attorneys, public defenders and civil rights advocates – say parts of the proposed law undermine the principle of presumed innocence and is likely to prove expensive to implement.
The measure is named for a California woman murdered by an acquaintance.
Related:
Voters asked to enshrine victims' rights in Constitution, but some say it's legally shaky ground
SQ 798: Combined ticket
FAILED: This measure, proposed by the Legislature, would change the state constitution so that the governor and lieutenant governor are elected as a “team” instead of independently, as has been the case since statehood. The process for these joint nominations is not specified in the proposed amendment and would be determined by law.
Advocates say combining a combined ticket saves money on elections and gives governors more control over their own administrations. There doesn’t seem to be organized opposition to the proposal, but some people say they prefer electing the two offices separately because it leaves decision-making with voters.
In the map above, the dark blue states have team elections. Those in light blue elect the governor and lieutenant governor separately. Those in yellow have the secretary of state as first in line of succession to governor. Those in red have senate presidents as the gubernatorial successor. Source: National Lieutenant Governors Association
Related:
Voters to determine if governor, lieutenant governor will run on same ticket
>> Click here to have a printer-friendly version of this story.
20 new laws that take effect Thursday in Oklahoma
Learn more about noteworthy new laws taking effect Thursday in Oklahoma.
Overview on what's on the Oklahoma ballot for the 2018 General Election
Click here for a little about candidates in the elections that will show up on the ballot on Nov. 6.