ENGROSSED SENATE
BILL NO. 668	By:	Johnson (Rob) of the Senate

			and

		Watson of the House

[ formation of political parties - modifying signature requirement for petition - granting certain authority to the Secretary of the State Election Board - effective date ]

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     AMENDATORY     26 O.S. 2011, Section 1-108, is amended to read as follows:
Section 1-108.  A.  A group of persons may form a recognized political party at any time except during the period between March 1 and November 15 of any even-numbered year if the following procedure is observed:
1.  Notice of intent to form a recognized political party must be filed in writing with the Secretary of the State Election Board at any time except during the period between March 1 and November 15 of any even-numbered year;
2.  After such notice is filed, petitions seeking recognition of a political party, in a form to be prescribed by the Secretary of the State Election Board, shall be filed with such Secretary, bearing the signatures of registered voters equal to at least five percent (5%) of the total votes cast in the last General Election either for Governor or for electors for President and Vice President.  Each page of such the petitions must contain the names of registered voters from a single county.  Petitions may be circulated a maximum of one (1) year after notice is filed, provided that petitions shall be filed with the Secretary no later than March 1 of an even‑numbered year.  Such The petitions shall not be circulated between March 1 and November 15 of any even-numbered year; and
3.  Within thirty (30) days after receipt of such petitions, the State Election Board shall determine the sufficiency of such petitions.  If such the Board determines there are a sufficient number of valid signatures of registered voters, the party becomes recognized under the laws of the State of Oklahoma with all rights and obligations accruing thereto.
B.  In the event a question or dispute arises as to which person or persons have the authority to act on behalf of a recognized political party, the Secretary of the State Election Board shall have the authority to make such determination based on relevant state statutes, official documents filed with the Secretary of the State Election Board, the party’s by-laws and, if possible, consultation with the party’s national chair or executive committee.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2013.
Passed the Senate the 27th day of February, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the Senate

Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________, 2013.

	
	Presiding Officer of the House
	of Representatives