Brinkley wins approval for candidate ID bill

Under legislation approved by the state Senate on Monday, candidates for public office would be required to provide proof of identity and eligibility to hold office.

Referencing strong support for State Question 746, a voter ID ballot measure approved last year, Sen. Rick Brinkley said it was sensible that candidates meet the same minimal requirement.

“In November, 74 percent of Oklahoma voters were in agreement that they should have to show an ID and prove who they were and that they were eligible to vote,” said Brinkley, R-Owasso. “I believe the voters would agree that those on the ballot should have to do the same thing.”

Senate Bill 91, authored by Brinkley, would require candidates to submit valid photo identification and proof that they meet all requirements and qualifications for the office they seek. The bill requires the State Election Board to promulgate a set of rules that would allow candidates to prove at the time of filing that they meet qualifications.

Brinkley noted that under current law, the election board must accept at face value that candidates meet the qualifications for the office they seek.

“This is a common sense reform to preserve the integrity of the process,” said Brinkley, R-Owasso. “This doesn’t make it any more difficult to file for office, but it certainly makes it more difficult to get around the rules.”

Senate Bill 91 now advances to the House for consideration.