Oklahoma Senate Votes to Bring Back Notary Mandate for Absentee Voting

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Courthouse News Service

May 7, 2020 DAVID LEE

Opponents of the measure say it is a GOP attempt to suppress the vote ahead of the June 30 primary.


OKLAHOMA CITY (CN) – Only three days after it was struck down by the state’s high court, the Republican-controlled Oklahoma Senate voted along party lines Thursday to reinstate a requirement that absentee ballots must be notarized.

Senate Bill 210 passed 38-9, with all nine Democratic state senators opposing it. The bill now awaits the signature of Republican Governor Kevin Stitt after it passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives 74-26 late Wednesday evening.

The bill requires absentee ballots to be notarized with the voter’s signature witnessed by two other people. It carves out a narrow exception for Covid-19, allowing absentee voters to mail in a photocopy of identification instead of a notarized signature during the pandemic.

“The measure also authorizes the delivery of absentee ballots to designated officials of care homes in the event an absentee voting board is prohibited from entering a nursing facility or veterans center due to restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic or another localized outbreak of a communicable disease,” the one-page bill summary states.

Read more: https://www.courthousenews.com/oklahoma-senate-votes-to-bring-back-notary-mandate-for-absentee-voting/

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[still_one]

1. and who pays for that notorization? That discriminates against people who don't have the means

This should be challenged all the way to the Supreme Court

[rpannier]

4. If I read it correctly the cost is nothing

It says witnessed by two people
I didn't see anywhere that it required these people to be an actual notary
The stupid part of it is, You, another person and I could all fill out absentee ballots; you and I sign the another person's, then that person and I sign yours and you two sign mine.
It's rather stupid

[Bengus81]

6. It states it has to be notarized with the voters signature..........

A licensed Notary with the State is the only one who can do that. The "witnessed by two people" is thrown in just to make it that much harder. That means you must take someone with you OR have two people at a bank/credit union witness the signing.

You don't have to jump through that many hoops when selling a GD car.

[TreadSoftly]

22. 2 signatures - language on the OK elections website

Seems that the 2 signature is only a workaround for people who cannot leave the house:

Physically incapacitated voters and voters who care for physically incapacitated persons who cannot be left alone are not required to have their signatures on the absentee affidavits notarized. They are required to have their signatures witnessed by two people.

https://www.ok.gov/elections/Voter_Info/Absentee_Voting/index.html

[Totally Tunsie]

5. Anyone who needs a document notarized should check with their bank

(presuming they have an account) because most banks have at least one Notary on hand and often supply the service for free. Mine does, and I use it for my mail-in ballot to RI.

It somewhat defeats the purpose of voting by mail because you still have to appear somewhere, which may not be possible for all. It does, however, eliminate the need to stand in long voter lines on Election Day.

Other places where a free Notary can be found could also include the office of the person's employment or their attorney if they have one. In contrast, UPS offers a Notary for a $10. fee.

[Sgent]

8. That's mostly true

within the US (except Louisiana). In many other countries a notary can be very expensive / rare. For instance in Jamaica only attorney's who have been admitted to the bar for 10 years plus other stuff are allowed to be notaries. They use Justice's of the Peace for many documents (who are more available), but if you need a notary its gonna cost.

In Louisiana there are a few non-attorney notaries, but it varies by parish and the process isn't easy or inexpensive. Under LA law notaries are allowed to practice law to a certain extent (prepare wills, contracts, etc.).

[Totally Tunsie]

17. Wow! That's quite a difference. I had no idea they were so sparse elsewhere.

Much different here: https://www.nationalnotary.org/rhode-island

Requirements to be a Notary in Rhode Island
Who can become a Notary?

A Notary Public applicant in Rhode Island must meet the following requirements:
1. Must be at least 18 years old.
2. Must be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the U.S.
3. Must be a Rhode Island resident or have a business in the state.
4. Must be able to read and write in English.
5. Must demonstrate knowledge of Notary Public powers and duties.

What kind of training will I need?
Rhode Island does not require a training course for Notaries.

Do I need to take an exam?
There is no state-proctored exam required in Rhode Island.

The application fee is $80.

[TreadSoftly]

20. FYI -- Some AAA (Auto Club) has notary

I believe I read that before they closed for COVID-19, the American Auto Assoc in my area had notaries.

Of course, you have to pay to be a member. But it is another path available.

Clearly this is back in poll tax territory. Likely not enough time to get the SCOTUS to rule on this mess.

[Bengus81]

18. Then that's a POLL TAX plain and simple. 100% illegal............

[sakabatou]

2. Another poll tax, hm?

[MissMillie]

10. That was exactly my first thought

Notary services are not typically free.

[diva77]

3. The GOP platform is to suppress voting as much as possible (stating the obvious)

K&R for exposure

[AllaN01Bear]

7. we ALL have the right to vote you idiots.

[Yeehah]

9. Republicans are fascists who hate democracy

It's time for everyone to wake up to that fact and to realize we are in a war with them.

[lark]

11. Killing their own folks out of political spite.

There are more of them there than us, repugs will pay a price for their treachery if this country can find a way to continue.

[iluvtennis]

12. Disgusting - notariztion and 2 witnesses - voter suppresion at its finest. nt

[old guy]

14. Totally agree.

People can rationalize it any way they want, it is still blatant voter suppression.

[Bayard]

13. I dont understand how they can vote this in over a court ruling

[bluestarone]

15. My question to anyone from OK.

Do you think ALL these fuckers could be VOTED OUT in NOV? I hope there terms are up and be replaced by SOLID DEMOCRATS!!!

[machoneman]

16. Why not just legislate if your not voting Republican, you can't vote in OK! Easy-peasy!

[Bengus81]

19. Get the ACLU on this. That's a poll tax unless EVERY Notary in Ok will do that work for free

Which of course they won't............

[TreadSoftly]

21. Governor signed it into law

Since the original post, the governor signed this into law.

There is some provision for COVID but I'm not sure I understand it (maybe a positive test? here we go again, with the tests)

There is a June 30 primary which includes Medicaid.

How naked can these power-hungry people get?

[not_the_one]

23. The most that can be charged for the notarization is $2.

But, if I travel to YOUR office to do it, I can charge $100 for the travel, if you are willing to pay for it. Any "service" above and beyond the $2 fee for you walking into the notary's office for the notarization is fair game.

That is the way notary services make money. But the CAN'T charge more than $2 for the actual notary stamp certifying your signature. (At least that was the case when I was a NY notary 2 years ago.)

The Democratic party should provide notaries that would travel TO YOUR HOME to notarize your ballot, for a total of $2.

We can beat them at THEIR game.

edit to add... HAVE NOTARY PARTIES!!!