Oklahoma Scores Huge Voter Victory, Removes Nearly 500K Names From Rolls
By Mick Farthing|September 23, 2024
Oklahoma Scores Huge Voter Victory, Removes Nearly 500K Names From Rolls

As the 2024 presidential election looms, concerns over outdated voter rolls persist in many states, leaving conservative voters anxious about the integrity of the upcoming vote. For years, inaccurate voter rolls have been a thorn in the side of election officials, with millions of ineligible voters still listed across the country.

Some are long deceased, others have moved out of state, and many simply haven’t cast a ballot in years. The result? Bloated voter lists that invite skepticism and, for some, the potential for electoral mischief.

These lingering inaccuracies aren’t just a technical glitch; they represent a deeper threat to election integrity. If ineligible names remain on the rolls, the door opens to fraud, mismanagement, or even unintentional errors in vote counting.

In states with close margins, every vote matters, and any uncertainty surrounding who is legally allowed to vote creates mistrust in the democratic process. For conservative voters, who have long championed tighter election security, the issue of accurate voter rolls is critical—and failure to address it could be seen as inviting chaos at the polls.

From The Post Millennial:
Oklahoma officials announced on Wednesday that the state has removed more than 453,000 ineligible voters from its voter rolls since January 2021.

According to a statement from Governor Kevin Stitt’s office, the purge included 97,065 deceased voters, 143,682 people who moved out of state, 5,607 felons, 14,993 duplicate registrations, and 194,962 inactive voters who were removed through an address verification process. The removal of these names is part of the state’s routine voter list maintenance that is required by law.

Oklahoma Leads the Charge on Election Integrity

One state, however, isn’t taking any chances. Oklahoma recently announced the successful removal of over 453,000 ineligible voters from its rolls since January 2021. The purge, which was part of a routine maintenance effort, included 97,065 deceased voters, 143,682 people who moved out of state, 5,607 felons, 14,993 duplicate registrations, and 194,962 inactive voters who had not confirmed their addresses. It’s a staggering number, but for Oklahoma officials, it’s business as usual.

Governor Kevin Stitt didn’t mince words when celebrating the achievement. “Voting is our most sacred duty as Americans,” he said. “And every Oklahoman wants to know their vote is securely cast and properly counted.”

According to Stitt, the state’s efforts are part of a broader mission to lead the nation in election security, ensuring that only eligible voters can participate in the democratic process.

A Multi-Pronged Approach to Secure Elections

This recent voter roll purge isn’t the only step Oklahoma has taken to safeguard its elections. In 2023, Governor Stitt established the Campaign Finance and Election Threats Task Force, tasked with recommending ways to enhance election security.

The task force’s work has already led to significant legislation, including a ban on ranked-choice voting, which critics argue is too complex and could lead to voter confusion. Stitt’s administration also passed a law requiring post-election audits, ensuring that any discrepancies in vote counts are quickly identified and addressed.

Oklahoma’s commitment to election integrity doesn’t stop there. The state outlawed “ballot harvesting” in 2020, making it illegal for individuals to collect and submit large numbers of absentee ballots on behalf of others.

Violations come with steep penalties, and the measure has been lauded by conservatives as a necessary step to prevent potential abuse. Oklahoma also requires all voters—whether voting in person or by mail—to provide proof of identity, making it one of the most stringent states in terms of voter verification.

Leading the Nation in Election Security

Secretary of State Josh Cockroft emphasized that Oklahoma’s efforts to protect its elections aren’t limited to just current threats. The state is also looking ahead, planning for new challenges that could arise from advances in technology, including artificial intelligence.

“We’ve aggressively pursued policies to ensure voting is secure and accurate, and we’re innovating to protect our elections from emerging technology like AI,” Cockroft stated. “In Oklahoma, every eligible citizen will have their vote counted and their voice heard.”

With these comprehensive measures in place, Oklahoma has positioned itself as a model for election integrity nationwide. Conservative voters in the state can rest easy knowing their officials are serious about keeping elections fair and secure.

However, the question remains: will other states follow suit? Or will they continue to grapple with outdated voter rolls and lax voting policies that undermine the trust of millions of Americans?

The Broader Implications for 2024

As the 2024 election nears, the issue of voter rolls—and election integrity more broadly—will continue to dominate political conversations. Oklahoma’s decisive actions serve as a reminder that vigilance is necessary to maintain public confidence in the electoral process.

With nearly half a million ineligible voters purged from its rolls, the state is leading the charge in ensuring that every vote counts—and that every vote cast is a legal one.

For the rest of the nation, the stakes couldn’t be higher. In key battleground states, where elections are often decided by razor-thin margins, even a few thousand inaccurate registrations could swing an election.

Conservative voters are calling for the same rigorous attention to detail that Oklahoma has shown, believing that election integrity is not a partisan issue—it’s a fundamental one.

In a time when trust in elections is shaky at best, Oklahoma’s voter roll purge is a breath of fresh air. But the work doesn’t end there. The 2024 election will be a test of whether the nation as a whole can ensure a secure and fair voting process. One thing’s for sure—Oklahoma is showing the rest of the country how it’s done.

Key Takeaways:

  • Oklahoma removes over 453,000 ineligible voters from rolls, ensuring cleaner elections.
  • Governor Stitt praises the state’s leadership in election security, including new laws and audits.
  • Oklahoma bans “ballot harvesting” and mandates voter ID to further safeguard election integrity.

Source: The Post Millennial

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Mick Farthing
Mick is a freelance writer, cartoonist, and graphic designer. He is a regular contributor for the Patriot Journal.
Mick is a freelance writer, cartoonist, and graphic designer. He is a regular contributor for the Patriot Journal.