For Immediate Release
May 19, 2020

Media Contact:
Angela Allmond, Communications Director
Oklahoma Democratic Party
405-536-2412

The Oklahoma Democratic Party and the DCCC File Lawsuit

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Democratic Party released the following statement on filing suit challenging the Notarization/Witness/Photo ID Requirement on mail-in ballots:

The Oklahoma Democratic Party and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee have filed a lawsuit, naming Paul Ziriax, Secretary of the Oklahoma State Election Board, and the Board as Defendants.

The four counts reflected in the suit include the First and Fourteenth Amendments, Poll Tax, Due Process, and Free Speech and Association.

As more Oklahoma voters register to vote by mail while our nation and state face a growing health crisis, the Oklahoma State Election Board has an obligation to ensure safe and fair procedures for mail-in voting that avoid disenfranchising any community or group.

“Oklahomans deserve to make their voices heard safely without further barriers to the voting process as we continue to deal with a worldwide pandemic,” stated Chairwoman, Alicia Andrews. “The additional barriers to the mail-in voting process do nothing more than further suppress the votes of marginalized groups and put citizens in harm’s way under the false claims of reducing voter fraud. We cannot stand idly by and allow Oklahoma to remain one of three states to fail voters by not removing the notary/witness/photo ID requirement,” continued Andrews.

“As other states implement safe mail-in voting procedures forgoing any notary or ID restrictions, Oklahoma continues to fall behind on updating its archaic process. The Oklahoma Democratic Party believes Oklahoma voters deserve to join the rest of the nation in participating in a modern, safe, and fair mail-in voting process that bolsters voters’ confidence and supports their constitutional right to be heard,” Andrews concluded.

Download PDF Filing
Link to Court Docket

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For more information about the Oklahoma Democratic Party, visit the party website at okdemocrats.org, or call party headquarters at 405-427-3366.