Slow counting of ballot petitions could hurt the chances of a medical marijuana initiative to be put to voters in Oklahoma, according to the Red Dirt Report. The deadline to include the questions for November ballots is the end of the month.
Joe Dorman, a former state representative and supporter of State Question 788, said six to eight staff members are working seven-hour days counting signatures and verifying addresses on a question that would expand the timeframe for ballot signature collection – just one of the two possible ballot questions.
“That’s probably what is going to hurt our chances of SQ 788 making it on the ballot,” Dorman said in the report. “If there aren’t enough staff to count both petitions at once, then we may not make it. The deadline is at the end of August, but you also have to have a 10-day period to review in court for any challenges. That’s going to hurt us significantly on time.”
Initiatives need nearly 66,000 signatures in order for inclusion on Oklahoma ballots. Last week, supporters indicated they were “real close” to securing a spot for their plan. Chip Paul, a spokesman for Oklahomans for Health said the group is within 5,000 signatures either way.
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