The Oklahoma Legislature consists of two chambers, the House of Representatives (101 members) and the Senate (48 members). Representatives and Senators are elected from single-member districts prescribed by law. Representatives are elected for two-year terms, and Senators are elected for four-year terms.

These terms imposed by voters limit the terms of elected officials to a total of 12 years. They begin on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in January of the odd-numbered year following the election.

Passage of a Bill

A majority of the elected and qualified members of each chamber is required for passage of any bill. For submission of a bill to the governor this requires 51 votes in the House and 25 votes in the Senate. Certain actions require a two-thirds majority, such as attempts to override a governor’s veto or the passage of a Constitutional amendment.

Oklahoma, like some other states, has a procedure for voters to directly submit changes to the Constitution or statutes. The residents of Oklahoma have the right to amend the fundamental law. This can be done through direct participation in law making through initiative and referendum. This principle of popular sovereignty is expressed in the Oklahoma Constitution in Article II, section 1.

Uniquely, Oklahoma employs a direct democracy, which means that the Constitution was written in a way to make government more responsive to the will of the people. This method allows for popular election of public officials and a better means of holding those elected strictly accountable in exercising their authority. This method is what gives Oklahoma the distinction of having one of the longest ballots in the nation.

The executive branch in Oklahoma comprises the following elected officials: the governor, lieutenant governor; the attorney general; the state treasurer; superintendent of public instruction; commissioner of insurance; corporation commissioners (3); auditor & inspector; and commissioner of labor.