Stitt signs judicial redistricting bill

GOVERNOR KEVIN STITT SIGNS JUDICIAL REDISTRICTING LEGISLATION

OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma (April 25, 2019) – Governor Kevin Stitt today signed House Bill 2366, which modifies the judicial districts for both the Oklahoma Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals.

“I applaud the Legislature for their dedication to government reform, looking beyond state agencies to also our judiciary,” said Stitt. “The Oklahoma Supreme Court districts were drawn in the 1960s and have never been revisited to reflect the state’s current population distribution. I was elected to hire the best people to serve, especially on the Supreme Court where Justices may serve for generations. This common-sense legislation ensures all 4 million Oklahomans are well represented while also increasing the number of quality, qualified candidates eligible for these critical appointments.”

HB 2366 updates the Supreme Court district map to align with the state’s five congressional districts and establishes four at-large seats that are open to all qualified applicants in Oklahoma. The bill also updates the Court of Criminal Appeals district map to match the five Oklahoma congressional districts. Under the bill, all current Supreme Court Justices and Court of Criminal Appeals Judges retain their office and are eligible to seek retention.

“Modernizing the maps from which judicial districts are drawn is an important judicial reform,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City. “By updating the maps, which were last drawn in 1967, we will increase the pool of eligible candidates to fill judicial vacancies. I want to commend Senator Julie Daniels for her great work in shepherding this bill through the process.”

HB 2366 goes into effect January 1, 2020.