Republican Senate District 15 candidate Robert Keyes uncovered 41 election irregularities, including absentee ballots notarized by a campaign staffer, which is illegal in Oklahoma. Despite presenting evidence to the State Election Board, no investigation was conducted, and an agreement with the opposing campaign fell through. Meanwhile, a bill, SB654, seeking to repeal the law prohibiting ballot harvesting, was introduced.
The evidence was turned over to the Cleveland County DA in September 2024, but no action has been taken since then. Keyes documented the violations in an interview and pursued legal remedies. The fact that no charges have been filed raises questions about accountability and election integrity in Oklahoma.
Furthermore, Senator Lisa Standridge, who was under scrutiny for alleged ballot harvesting tied to her 2024 campaign, was assigned to the committee overseeing the bill that would have repealed the statute in question. This raised concerns about political insiders protecting their own interests.
In response to the irregularities in the SD15 race, the Oklahoma House passed three bills aimed at tightening absentee ballot security. These bills reinforce existing penalties and address loopholes in the system that have been exploited for years. Critics of SB654 pointed out that it would have downgraded ballot harvesting to a misdemeanor, weakening the legal tools to combat election fraud.
The lack of action by the Cleveland County DA and the State Election Board highlights the need for accountability in the political system. Keyes emphasized the importance of enforcing the law equally for everyone involved in the election process to ensure transparency and integrity. The unanswered questions regarding the investigation raise concerns about the fairness and integrity of elections in Oklahoma.
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