By Constitution Staff

Oklahoma voters had three state questions on the November 4, 2014 General Election ballot. All three were approved by voters. While State Questions are sometime the result of a initiative petition where proponents gather signatures, all of the referendums were placed on the ballot by an act of the Legislature.

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. Also, there was an unsuccessful effort to qualify a measure that would have rejected a new law. The law allows electric utilities to apply for special rate charges for users of solar and wind power, but still want power from the electric company when the sun does not shine or the wind does not blow.

The three State Questions on the ballot were State Questions 769, 770, and 771.

The Oklahoma Service in Government and Military Amendment, State Question 769 will allow government officials to 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 exempts officers and members of the forces mentioned from restrictions on serving in more than one paying public position.

The proposal addressed 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. The proposition was approved with nearly 70 percent of the vote. With the passage of the amendment, elected officials will no longer have to vacate their offices if called to active duty.

The Oklahoma Homestead Exemption Transfer for Disabled Veterans Amendment, State Question 770, allows 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 measure was approved by 90 percent of voters.

The Oklahoma Homestead Exemption for Surviving Spouse of Military Personnel Amendment, State Question 771, establishes 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. This amendment gained the approval of more than 90 percent of voters.