Oklahoma State Questions Rejected: Voters Defeat 845 and 847
Oklahoma State Questions Rejected as Voters Defeat Judicial and Property Tax Amendments
Oklahoma state questions rejected by voters in Tuesday's November 3 general election included two proposed constitutional amendments affecting judicial appointments and property taxes. State Question 845, which would have changed membership requirements for Oklahoma's Judicial Nominating Commission, failed overwhelmingly, with 72.6% voting against the proposal. State Question 847, which sought to lower annual property assessment growth limits, was also defeated, with 54.3% voting no.
The results leave Oklahoma's existing constitutional provisions governing judicial nominations and property assessments unchanged. The two measures addressed different areas of state government but generated debate over judicial independence, property tax relief and funding for local public services. According to KOCO's reporting on Oklahoma's November 3 election results, neither proposal received the majority support required to amend the state constitution.
Oklahoma State Questions Rejected Include Major Judicial Selection Changes
State Question 845 proposed significant changes to the Oklahoma Judicial Nominating Commission, the 15-member body responsible for screening applicants and recommending candidates for certain judicial vacancies. The commission currently includes six attorneys elected by members of the Oklahoma Bar Association, with additional members selected through other appointment procedures.
The amendment would have removed existing restrictions on how many attorneys could serve on the commission and eliminated political party balance requirements. It also would have allowed members to serve up to 12 years, changing existing limits intended to regulate commission membership and appointments.
Opponents raised concerns that removing those restrictions could increase political influence over judicial nominations, while supporters argued the changes would provide greater flexibility in selecting qualified commission members. The proposal ultimately failed by a substantial margin, with nearly three out of four Oklahoma voters opposing the amendment.
According to the reported results for State Question 845, approximately 72.6% voted against the measure, making it the more decisively rejected of the two statewide proposals.
The result preserves the commission's existing membership structure and constitutional restrictions, meaning any future effort to change the judicial selection process would require another legislative or constitutional initiative.
State Question 847 Defeated Despite Proposed Property Tax Relief
State Question 847 would have lowered the annual growth limits on assessed property values used to calculate property taxes. The proposal sought to reduce the existing 3% cap to 1.75% for homestead and agricultural property, while lowering the limit for most other real estate from 5% to 4%.
Supporters argued the amendment would help homeowners, farmers and ranchers manage rising property valuations. Under the proposed limits, a qualifying home valued at $200,000 could have experienced a maximum annual valuation increase of $3,500 instead of $6,000, assuming the property remained subject to the applicable cap.
Opponents, including education advocates, warned that restricting assessment growth could reduce future property tax revenue available to public schools, county governments and other local services. The measure also proposed changes affecting certain older homeowners who do not qualify for Oklahoma's existing property valuation freeze.
The reported results for State Question 847 show 54.3% of voters opposed the amendment, defeating the proposed tax assessment changes.
What the Election Results Mean for Oklahoma Property Owners and Courts
With both measures defeated, Oklahoma's existing property assessment limits and judicial nomination requirements remain in effect. Qualifying homestead and agricultural property continues under the 3% annual valuation-growth cap, while most other real estate remains subject to the 5% limit.
The election results do not directly increase property tax rates or change individual tax bills. Likewise, the defeat of State Question 845 does not change the current process for screening judicial applicants or filling qualifying vacancies.
The rejection of both state questions leaves Oklahoma's existing constitutional rules intact. While voters decisively opposed changes to judicial selection, the closer property tax vote highlights an ongoing debate over balancing taxpayer protections with funding for schools and local government.
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