Reader poll: How will you vote on SQ 845?

Oklahoma voters will decide Nov. 3 whether to change the rules for the panel that screens applicants for the state's highest courts.

State Question 845 would amend the Oklahoma Constitution to change who may serve on the 15-member Judicial Nominating Commission and how its members are chosen. Every registered voter may vote on it, regardless of party.

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Vote in our reader poll below by 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. Results will appear here when the poll closes.

What SQ 845 would change

Voters created the commission in 1967, after a bribery scandal involving three Oklahoma Supreme Court justices, according to Oklahoma Watch. It reviews applicants for the state's appellate courts and some district judgeships, then sends the governor three names.

Today, six commissioners are attorneys chosen through the Oklahoma Bar Association. The governor's six appointees and three at-large members may not be attorneys or have one in their immediate family. No more than three of the governor's appointees, or two of the at-large members, may belong to the same party.

According to the ballot title, SQ 845 would:

Allow any number of commissioners to be licensed attorneys, and remove the restriction on family members who practice law.
Remove the party limits on the governor's appointees and at-large members.
Let commissioners serve consecutive terms, up to 12 years in a row.
Base appointments on current congressional districts instead of the districts that existed in 1967.

Changes would take effect as terms expire. The ballot title states there is no fiscal impact.

The case for SQ 845

The House passed the measure 78-13 in March 2025, and the Senate passed it 35-8 in April 2026, according to official roll calls, with Republicans voting overwhelmingly in favor.

Supporters say it would expand the pool of eligible commissioners and improve political balance, Oklahoma Watch reported. Sen. Todd Gollihare, R-Sapulpa, who carried the measure, argued the party limits disadvantage Republicans in a state where they hold the governor's office and both chambers.

Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, called the measure mild reform and said "the idea that attorneys could stack the deck is far-fetched," Oklahoma Watch reported.

The Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs, a conservative think tank that has argued for abolishing the commission, reported in 2024 that 22 of the 32 attorneys the Oklahoma Bar Association had appointed since 2000 gave most of their campaign donations to Democrats. It argued the party limits on the governor's appointees keep that tilt from being offset.

The case against SQ 845

The Oklahoma Policy Institute, which says it rarely takes positions on state questions, urges a no vote, saying SQ 845 "strips away key protections in choosing our top judges." It argues one-party control could give politics more influence over the courts and that lifting attorney restrictions could invite conflicts of interest.

Senate Democrats voted against the measure. Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, said the party-balancing rule was built in on purpose, and Sen. Carri Hicks, D-Oklahoma City, said lifting the attorney restrictions would make it easier for a small group aligned by party or profession to control who is nominated, Oklahoma Watch reported.

Where area candidates stand

Rep. Jim Shaw, R-Chandler, HD 32: No. He voted against the resolution in 2025 and says the commission could be "stacked completely with lawyers" while still heavily influenced by the Oklahoma Bar Association.
Andy Brown, independent from Prague, HD 32: No. He says the state does not need anything that leads to more partisanship or the appearance of corruption.
Rep. Molly Jenkins, R-Coyle, HD 33: No. She voted against the resolution in 2025. She says updating district references makes sense, but removing the safeguards could "strengthen insider influence instead of public accountability."
Dr. Max E. Burchett Jr., Democrat from Guthrie, HD 33: Has yet to respond to follow up
Rep. Trish Ranson, D-Stillwater, HD 34: No. She voted for the resolution in 2025 but now opposes it. At an Oct. 22 candidate forum, she said, "The fact that we have not had that type of corruption since tells me that the system is working."
Aaron Means, Republican from Stillwater, HD 34: Yes. At the same forum, Means said he once opposed the measure but now supports it, saying the justice system should not be "beholden to any agenda, whether the agenda is considered on the left or considered on the right."

Sen. Chuck Hall, R-Perry, of Senate District 20, voted for the resolution in the Senate.

Stillwater Mayor Will Joyce posted on Facebook Oct. 26 that he will vote no.

How will you vote on SQ 845?

State Question No. 845, Legislative Referendum No. 378

ON THE BALLOT

This measure amends article 7-B, section 3 of the Oklahoma Constitution, changing the Judicial Nominating Commission’s structure. Currently appointments are based on congressional districts as constituted in 1967. If approved, appointments to the fifteen-member Commission will be as follows: 1) Governor appoints six members, including one from each congressional district as of the time of their appointment; 2) the Oklahoma Bar Association appoints six members, including one from each congressional district as of the date of selection; and 3) no less than eight members select three at-large members. The measure will permit any number of the commissioners to be licensed attorneys in Oklahoma or another state. The prohibition against immediate family members from practicing law will be removed. The measure changes terms so that at-large commissioners would serve a two-year term, and all other commissioners would serve a six-year term. Additionally, it removes restrictions on political party membership for members appointed by the Governor and at-large members. The measure also permits a commissioner to succeed himself or herself. Vacancies will be filled in the same manner as a commissioner is appointed or selected for the remainder of the relevant term. This measure will not have a fiscal impact.

Shall the proposal be approved?

ABOUT THIS POLL

This is an unscientific snapshot of Stillwegian members, not a scientific survey of Oklahoma or Payne County voters. One vote per member. Votes are anonymous: The Stillwegian sees only the totals, never how any individual reader voted.

Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. Results will appear here when the poll closes.

How will you vote on State Question No. 845?

FOR THE PROPOSAL - YES

AGAINST THE PROPOSAL -NO

Click an option to vote.

How to vote in the general election

Early voting runs 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, Oct. 28-30, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at the Payne County Expo Center in Stillwater and the Cushing Chamber of Commerce. On Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find your polling place at okvoterportal.okelections.gov.