Three State Questions on Ballot
There were several groups gathering signatures on initiative petitions in the hopes of placing initiatives on the ballot this year. Supporters of the initiatives had 90 days to gather 155,216 valid signatures of registered voters. But, none obtained the required signatures. One of the measures would have funded the construction of storm shelters in schools. Two other two proposals would have legalized the use of marijuana in the state -- one for medical use only and the other would be a general legalization similar to the ones approved in Colorado and in the state of Washington.
The three State Questions voters will find on the ballot are State Questions 769, 770, and 771.
The Oklahoma Service in Government and Military Amendment, State Question 769, would guarantee that government officials can also serve as officers and members of the National Guard, Officers Reserve Corps, Oklahoma State Guard or any other active militia or military force organized under state law. Thus, the amendment would exempt officers and members of the forces mentioned from restrictions on serving in more than one paying public position.[
The proposal addresses a controversy that arose in 2011 when the Office of the Attorney General declared that former state Rep. Rex Duncan, who had been elected district attorney for Osage and Pawnee counties, had officially vacated his job when he was mobilized by the Oklahoma National Guard to lead a combat adviser team in Afghanistan. If the referendum passes, elected officials would no longer have to vacate their offices if called to active duty.
The Oklahoma Homestead Exemption Transfer for Disabled Veterans Amendment, State Question 770, would allow a qualifying disabled veteran or his or her surviving spouse to sell their homestead, acquire another homestead property in the same calendar year and keep their property tax homestead exemption
The Oklahoma Homestead Exemption for Surviving Spouse of Military Personnel Amendment, State Question 771, would establish a property tax homestead exemption for the surviving spouse of military personnel who die in the line of duty. The homestead exemption would no longer be available upon the spouse remarrying.
Following are ballot titles for State Questions on the ballot for the Nov. 4 General Election:
STATE QUESTION NO. 769
LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 364
THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:
This measure amends Article 2, Section 12 of the Oklahoma Constitution. That Section currently imposes limits on an individual simultaneously holding certain government offices. The amendment would permit those serving in state offices of trust or profit to also hold certain military positions. Holders of an Oklahoma office of trust or profit who currently can not simultaneously hold certain military positions, include:
Legislators;
State Judges;
District Attorneys;
Statewide elected officials, such as the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and Treasurer;
Members of State Boards, Agencies and Commissions, and
Many County Officers.
The measure creates a state constitutional right permitting holders of Oklahoma offices of trust or profit to also serve and be called to active duty or active service in the following military positions:
1. An Officer or Enlisted Member of
The National Guard,
The National Guard Reserve,
The Oklahoma State Guard, or
Any other active militia or military force organized under State law;
2. An Officer of the Officers Reserve Corps of the United States; or
3. An Enlisted Member of the Organized Reserves of the United States.
The measure empowers the Legislature to enact laws to implement the amended Section.
SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED?
FOR THE PROPOSAL - YES
AGAINST THE PROPOSAL - NO
STATE QUESTION NO. 770
LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 365
THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:
This measure amends the Oklahoma Constitution. It amends Section 8E of Article 10. This section provides a homestead exemption to certain qualifying disabled veterans. It also provides a homestead exemption to the surviving spouse of qualifying disabled veterans. This measure would allow either the veteran or his or her surviving spouse to sell the homestead but acquire another homestead property in the same calendar year. The exemption would apply to the newly acquired homestead property to the same extent as the original exemption for the homestead property that was sold.
SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED?
FOR THE PROPOSAL - YES
AGAINST THE PROPOSAL - NO
STATE QUESTION NO. 771
LEGISLATIVE REFERENDUM NO. 366
THE GIST OF THE PROPOSITION IS AS FOLLOWS:
This measure amends the Oklahoma Constitution. It would add a new Section 8F to Article 10. It would create a homestead exemption for the surviving spouse of military personnel who die in the line of duty. The United States Department of Defense or the applicable branch of the United States military would make the determination regarding whether the person engaged in military service died while in the line of duty. It would provide the surviving spouse of such person with a one hundred percent (100%) exemption for the fair cash value of the homestead until the surviving spouse remarried. This measure would allow the surviving spouse to sell the homestead, but acquire another homestead property in the same calendar year. The exemption would apply to the newly acquired homestead property to the same extent as the original exemption for the homestead property that was sold. The exemption would apply beginning in calendar year 2015. The exemption would also apply for the 2014 calendar year if the surviving spouse meets applicable requirements.
SHALL THE PROPOSAL BE APPROVED?
FOR THE PROPOSAL - YES
AGAINST THE PROPOSAL - NO
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