SB1362 would expand in-person absentee voting by allowing it from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday before any election administered by a county election board. Current law provides Saturday voting only for certain major elections.
The Oklahoma State Senate passed SB1362 on March 10, 2026 by a vote of 36 to 9. We have assigned pluses to the nays because this legislation unnecessarily expands early voting in a manner that could undermine election integrity. Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution grants states the authority to regulate the "Times, Places and Manner" of elections, but this power must be exercised cautiously to ensure secure electoral processes. Extending in-person absentee voting increases opportunities for errors or fraud. Convenience must be balanced with safeguards that protect the integrity of elections.
