House Bill No. 1678 amends Section 8-105 of the Oklahoma Statutes regarding the procedures for resolving tie votes in elections. The bill specifies that when a tie occurs in a Runoff Primary, General Election, or Primary Election, the election board responsible for certifying the results will select the nominee or electee by lot during a public meeting. The bill outlines detailed procedures for notifying candidates, designating witnesses, and conducting the selection process, including the use of opaque containers to ensure fairness in drawing names.
Additionally, the bill introduces a new provision stating that the outlined procedures do not apply to elections of state officers as specified in the Oklahoma Constitution. The effective date for this legislation is set for November 1, 2025. The amendments also include updates to statutory language for clarity and consistency.