Vote NO on November 3.

State Question 845 would remove an important safeguard from Oklahoma’s judicial appointment process.

Under the current rule, no more than three of the governor’s six appointees to the Judicial Nominating Commission can belong to the same political party.

SQ 845 would remove that limit, allowing all six appointees to come from one political party. sos.ok.gov

Why does this matter?

The Judicial Nominating Commission reviews applicants for certain judicial vacancies and sends qualified nominees to the governor.

Removing the current party limit could give one political party greater influence over who is nominated to serve on Oklahoma’s courts.

Judges should be selected based on their qualifications and commitment to the law. Political loyalty should not control the process.

What else would SQ 845 change?

SQ 845 would also:

• Remove party limits for the commission’s at-large members
• Allow more attorneys to serve on the commission
• Remove restrictions involving members whose immediate family practices law
• Allow commissioners to serve consecutive terms for up to 12 years
• Update representation to follow current congressional districts

Why was the JNC created?

Oklahoma voters created the Judicial Nominating Commission in 1967 following a major bribery scandal involving the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

The commission added a screening process between politics and appointments to Oklahoma’s highest courts. Oklahoma Policy Institute

What does your vote mean?

Vote YES: Approve the proposed changes and remove the current party limits.

Vote NO: Reject the proposed changes and keep the existing safeguards.

The law should be unbiased.

Vote NO on State Question 845 on November 3.

Learn more

• Official SQ 845 ballot documents
• Official HJR 1024 legislative page
• Plain-language SQ 845 explanation