Governor Stitt: vote for safety by voting No on SQ 805

Governor Kevin Stitt sent the following statement to supporters yesterday, urging them to vote against State Question 805.

As an Oklahoman, you’ve probably heard a lot about State Question 805. I’m urging you to vote no on SQ 805.

As you know, since the beginning of my campaign for Governor, I have been an advocate for smart criminal justice reform, one that gives non-violent offenders a true opportunity at a second chance and reform that modernizes our criminal code.

Friends, SQ 805 is not criminal justice reform. It is a veiled effort by big out-of-state donors to change our State Constitution and handcuff Oklahomans’ ability to overhaul the criminal code.

Proponents of this bill are floating false narratives around the state about Oklahoma crime and incarceration. Here are some of the real facts:

Here is why we don’t need SQ 805 to make progress:

• Violent crime has already been on the decline in OK, dropping 10.5% year over year.
• Non-violent crime is also down, dropping 1.5% year over year.
• The Oklahoma Trooper Academy Graduated 61 new Troopers to protect our citizens and communities.
• In addition to all of this, we dropped 4 spots in incarceration rates by state this year.

If State Question 805 passes, 96% of all crimes committed in Oklahoma will be considered for early release and shorter sentences. This includes domestic abuse against pregnant women, sex offenders working in child care facilities, child trafficking and soliciting sex from a minor while using a computer, and much more.

All of our progress on criminal justice and incarceration will be in jeopardy if this passes. Vote no on SQ 805 and let’s keep making Oklahoma safer.

Thank you and God bless you,

Kevin