Note: The Brennan Center is not a participant in this case.
Case Background
On November 15, 2019, two Oklahoma voters filed a protest with the Oklahoma Supreme Court challenging the legality of Initiative Petition 420, a proposed constitutional amendment that would create an independent redistricting commission to draw congressional and state legislative maps.
Plaintiffs argued that Initiative Petition 420 violates the Oklahoma constitution’s single subject rule. They also claimed that the petition’s eligibility requirements for commissioners violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The plaintiffs asked the court to block the addition of Initiative Petition 420 to a future ballot.
Oral argument took place on January 21, 2020. On February 4, 2020, the court ruled that Initiative Petition 420 is legally sufficient.
Documents
Oklahoma Supreme Court
- Application and Petition to Assume Original Jurisdiction (November 15, 2019)
- Plaintiffs’ Brief in Support of Application (November 15, 2019)
- Defendants’ Brief in Response to Application (December 5, 2019)
- Opinion (February 4, 2020)