Note: The Brennan Center is not a participant in this case.
Case Background
On February 28, 2020, two Oklahoma voters filed a petition with the Oklahoma Supreme Court to challenge the sufficiency of the gist of Initiative Petition 426, a proposed constitutional amendment that would create an independent redistricting commission to draw congressional and state legislative maps. The redistricting reform initiative’s gist was revised after being struck down by the state supreme court in Newberry v. Moore.
Plaintiffs in this case argue that the revised gist inaccurately and insufficiently describes the commission’s selection panel, voting requirements, and political fairness map-drawing criterion. As a result, the plaintiffs are asking the court to declare the gist of Initiative Petition 426 legally deficient.
Oral argument took place via telephone on March 17, 2020. On May 27, 2020, the court ruled that the gist of Initiative Petition 426 is legally sufficient.
Documents
Oklahoma Supreme Court
- Application and Petition to Assume Original Jurisdiction (February 28, 2020)
- Plaintiffs’ Brief in Support of Application (February 28, 2020)
- Defendants’ Brief in Response to Application (March 12, 2020)
- Opinion (May 27, 2020)