Lawmakers with a primary election opponent in June might want to exit early to have more time to campaign. A change in filing and election times will give lawmakers with a primary opponent about a month to concentrate on their campaigns.
NewsOK
By Michael McNutt
Published: April 15, 2012
Early adjournment isn't likely with lawmakers still having to tackle developing a state budget and agreeing on cutting the personal income tax next year, House Speaker Kris Steele says.
Steele, R-Shawnee, acknowledged that there may be more pressure from members this year to finish their business early: Nearly 20 percent of the lawmakers seeking re-election this year will have only about a month to campaign in earnest if the Legislature adjourns
May 25 as scheduled. State law requires lawmakers to have their work done by the last Friday in May.
“I do think that there'll be a sense of urgency that probably we haven't felt in previous years,” he said.
Changes made last year to the candidate filing periods moved up the filing period and primary elections about a month. Instead of being in late July, this year's primary is June 26. New state laws were passed last year to comply with a federal law requiring election officials to email ballots early enough so military members stationed overseas, as well as voters living abroad, have plenty of time to vote and return their ballots in time to be counted... FULL ARTICLE
Posted on
Sun, April 15, 2012
by John Cox