Senate Bill No. 656 amends several sections of the Oklahoma Statutes regarding the State Election Board, primarily altering its composition and the appointment process for its members. Until July 1, 2027, the Board will consist of three members and two alternates, all appointed by the Governor with Senate consent. After this date, the Board will expand to five members, including appointments from the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, as well as three members appointed by the Governor from lists provided by the political parties with the largest voter registrations. The bill also establishes a quorum requirement and mandates that certain notarized lists of nominees be submitted to the Governor.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the process for filling vacancies on the Board, requiring that such vacancies be filled within 30 days in the same manner as the original appointment. It also modifies the role of the Secretary of the State Election Board, who will be appointed by the Board with Senate consent starting January 1, 2027, and establishes that the Secretary will not be a member of the Board. The bill repeals a previous section related to the chair and vice chair of the Board and updates various statutory language to be more gender-neutral. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2025.