Plain Language
Political parties in the House or Senate must hold open votes to choose their leaders, such as Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Whip, Caucus Chair, and their nominees for Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate. These votes must be done by roll call, meaning each member’s vote is recorded. The results must be made public under the Open Records Act. Parties can no longer hold these votes in secret. Each member’s vote must be available for the public to see, making sure the process is transparent and accountable in choosing party leadership.
Legal Language
Insert the following language into the Oklahoma State Constitution:
Article V, Section 29A
Transparency in Legislative Caucus Leadership Selection
(A) Caucus Votes by Roll Call
All caucus votes conducted by political parties within the House of Representatives or the Senate to select internal leadership positions, including but not limited to Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Whip, Caucus Chair, and nominees for Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate, shall be conducted by roll call vote.
(B) Public Disclosure
The results of all such caucus votes, including the names of the members voting and how each member voted, shall be publicly disclosed in accordance with the Open Records Act or any successor law ensuring public access to government records.
(C) Prohibition on Secret Votes
No political party within the House or Senate may conduct any internal caucus vote in secret or behind closed doors. All such votes shall be open and transparent.
(D) Accountability
Each member’s vote shall be recorded, and the party conducting the caucus shall make the vote record publicly available, ensuring transparency and accountability in the process by which party leadership is chosen within the legislature.
