Oklahoma

State government

Oklahoma's first and only constitution became effective on 16 November 1907. By January 2003, that document had been amended 165 times (including five amendments that were subsequently nullified by the courts).

The Oklahoma legislature consists of two chambers, a 48-member senate and a 101-member house of representatives. To serve in the legislature one must be a qualified voter; also, senators must be at least 25 years old and representatives at least 21. Senators hold office for four years, representatives for two. The legislature meets annually, beginning in early February, for a session limited to 160 calendar days. Special sessions may be called by a vote of two-thirds of the members of each house. The legislative salary in 2002 was $38,400, unchanged from 1999.

State elected officials are the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, auditor, state treasurer, superintendent of public instruction, commissioner of labor, and commissioner of insurance, all of whom serve four-year terms, and three corporation commissioners, who serve staggered six-year terms. The governor is limited to serving two consecutive terms. A candidate for governor must be a US citizen at least 31 years old and must have been a qualified voter in Oklahoma for at least 10 years preceding election. In 2002 the governor's salary was $101,040, unchanged from 1999.

Any member of either house may introduce legislation. A bill passed by the legislature becomes law if signed by the governor, if left unsigned by the governor for five days while the legislature is in session, or if passed over the governor's veto by two-thirds of the elected members of each house (three-fourths in the case of emergency bills). A bill dies after 15 days if the governor takes no action and the legislature has adjourned. Constitutional amendments may be placed on the ballot by majority vote in both houses, by initiative petition of 15% of the electorate, or by constitutional convention. To be ratified, proposed amendments must receive a majority vote of the electorate.

To vote in Oklahoma, one must be a US citizen, at least 18 years old, and a state resident. Restrictions apply to convicted felons and those declared mentally incapacitated by the court.