SQ 844 and SQ 846 Explained for Payne County

Oklahoma voters will decide two state questions on the Aug. 25 runoff ballot: State Question 844, which would change how the state reimburses local governments for a manufacturing tax exemption, and State Question 846, which would add the state's existing voter identification requirement to the Oklahoma Constitution.

Both measures are legislative referendums, meaning lawmakers — not a citizen petition — put them before voters. Both require a simple majority to pass. Here is what each measure would do, in the state's own language, with links to the full text.

State Question 844

What it does

State Question 844, or Legislative Referendum No. 378, would amend Section 6B of Article 10 of the Oklahoma Constitution. That section allows the state to offer manufacturers a five-year exemption from ad valorem — property — taxes as an incentive to locate, expand or acquire facilities in Oklahoma. Because the exemption reduces local property tax collections, the state is constitutionally required to reimburse the schools, counties, cities and other local entities that would otherwise have received that revenue.

SQ 844 would authorize the Legislature to set new levels and methods for that reimbursement by law, replacing the current statutory formula. The stated goal, according to the ballot language, is to ensure no single Oklahoma county receives reimbursement in an amount detrimental to other counties.

The ballot language

The measure's ballot title states it "authorizes the Legislature to enact laws establishing the levels and methodologies of reimbursement for the previously mentioned local governmental entities resulting from the manufacturing exemption," and that the laws are meant to ensure reimbursement levels remain equitable across counties. The title also notes the measure "will have a fiscal impact on the state that will depend on the application of the levels and methodologies adopted by the Legislature."

Why it matters locally

Payne County governments, Stillwater Public Schools and other local taxing entities currently receive reimbursement under the existing formula whenever a manufacturer in the county receives the exemption. A change to that formula could affect how much local revenue is replaced, though the ballot title notes the fiscal impact depends on what the Legislature ultimately enacts — meaning the practical effect of a "yes" vote is not yet fixed in law.

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State Question 846

What it does

State Question 846, or Legislative Referendum No. 380, would add a new Section 6 to Article 3 of the Oklahoma Constitution requiring proof of identity to vote in any election run by a county election board or the State Election Board. The requirement would apply to all authorized methods of voting, and the measure directs the Legislature to enact laws specifying what counts as acceptable proof of identity.

The measure would not create a new requirement. Oklahoma has required voters to show identification at the polls since 2011, under a law voters approved as State Question 746 in 2010. SQ 846 would move that existing requirement from state statute into the constitution, meaning any future change would require statewide voter approval rather than a legislative vote alone.

The ballot language

The measure's ballot title states it "adds a new section 6 to article 3 of the Oklahoma Constitution to require proof of identity to vote in any election authorized by law and conducted by a county election board or the State Election Board," that it "requires proof of identity for all authorized methods of voting," and that it "requires the Legislature to enact laws to specify requirements for proof of identity for voting." The title states the measure "will not have a fiscal impact."

Why it matters locally

Payne County voters already present identification at the polls under the 2010 law, so SQ 846 would not change the voting process on Election Day. What it would change is how difficult it is to alter that requirement in the future — a constitutional amendment requires statewide voter approval, while a statute can be changed by the Legislature alone.

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What's next

Early voting for the Aug. 25 runoff election runs Aug. 20-21 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Aug. 22 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to the Payne County Election Board. The voter registration deadline was July 31, and the absentee ballot request deadline is Aug. 10. Register here.

The Stillwegian will publish a survey of local elected officials' and candidates' positions on both measures Aug. 11. Stay tuned for a reader poll on each state question.