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November 3, 2020
Sentencing reform ballot initiative in Oklahoma, SQ 805, appears likely to lose badly
I have been following closely, as highlighted by prior posted noted below, the interesting ballot initiative in Oklahoma seeking to limit the impact of nonviolent criminal history on sentencing outcomes. Notably, back in 2016, Oklahoma voters approved a ballot initiative downgrading drug possession and a slate of minor property crimes from felonies to misdemeanors. So state voters have a history of backing sentencing reform via ballot initiative. But it seems that SQ 805 did not garner comparable support from Sooner voters.
Specifically, as of 10:15pm EST as reported here, there are over 88% of precincts reporting, and the NO vote has nearly 61% while the YES votes is just over 39%. So it looks like this ballot initiative will not just lose, but lose by a sufficiently large margin that it might discourage other related reform efforts in the near future.
Prior related posts:
- Oklahoma ballot initiative (State Question 805) seeks to block non-violent prior convictions from enhancing statutory range of punishment
- Fascinating Oklahoma initiative seeking to block non-violent prior convictions from enhancing statutory range of punishment qualifies for ballot
- Might a notable celebrity endorsement help move a notable criminal justice reform ballot initiative toward passage in Oklahoma?
- Will problematic definition of "violence" convictions impact Oklahoma sentencing reform initiative SQ 805?
November 3, 2020 at 10:23 PM | Permalink