Wilcoxson Asks Pro Tempore To Revamp County Election Board Secretary Selection Process

Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson (R-OKC) formally requested in a February 28 memo to Senate President Pro Tempore Stratton Taylor that the leader of the Senate involve individual senators in the selection process of the County Election Board Secretary in the counties they represent. Currently these selections are made behind closed doors with little or no input from the senators elected to represent that area.

Wilcoxson introduced SB 75 which provided that the State Election Board appoint these secretaries only after the advice and consent of the Senate delegation of that county. The bill did not receive a hearing in committee.

"When I started looking into this process I was amazed that there was no provision for input from those senators elected to represent their districts," Wilcoxson said. "I was repeatedly told that tradition governed the selection process. I believe that the selection of an official who is paid by the taxpayers should be governed by more than tradition."

During Tuesday's (February 27) floor action, Wilcoxson attempted to add her language to another bill by amendment. The amendment was tabled with the explanation that the final decision on Wilcoxson's measure would be made by the Pro Tempore.

"I trust that Senator Taylor will do the right thing and open this process to those who are most familiar with the counties and their elections," Wilcoxson said. "With the recent election experience in this country I believe it is more important than ever that these decision makers are selected through a fair and open process that instills public confidence in our election procedures."