Oklahoma voters face two constitutional questions on the August 25 ballot

Oklahoma voters will decide two constitutional questions in the Tuesday, August 25, 2026, runoff: State Question 844 on manufacturing-property-tax reimbursements and State Question 846 on proof of identity for voting.

Both questions are statewide. The Oklahoma State Election Board says all registered voters are eligible to vote on state questions. Polls are scheduled to be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the August election was 5 p.m. Monday, August 10. Voters who did not request an absentee ballot by then should review the election board’s current voter resources and plan for an available in-person voting option.

What State Question 844 would do

SQ 844 would amend Article 10, Section 6B of the Oklahoma Constitution, which addresses property-tax exemptions used to encourage manufacturers to locate, expand or acquire facilities in Oklahoma.

The official ballot title says the measure would authorize the Legislature to establish the levels and methods for reimbursing local governments and other taxing entities for revenue lost because of a manufacturing exemption.

The affected entities can include school districts, counties, municipalities and other local taxing entities that receive reimbursement connected to those exemptions.

A yes vote on SQ 844 would not immediately end the manufacturing exemption or set a specific new reimbursement amount. It would create constitutional authority for the Legislature to establish a future reimbursement framework. The practical effects would depend on later legislation and implementation.

Why SQ 844 matters to schools and local governments

The central fiscal question is how much affected entities would receive and how the state would calculate those payments.

Fiscal materials associated with the proposal indicate that reimbursement could be capped at the property’s pre-exemption tax level. Those materials also indicate that state reimbursement could be lower than under current law, depending on the system lawmakers adopt.

That does not establish a guaranteed funding reduction for any particular school district, county, city or other local entity. A specific local effect would depend on subsequent legislation, the property’s tax history and the way the new reimbursement method is applied.

What State Question 846 would do

SQ 846 would add a section to Article 3 of the Oklahoma Constitution requiring proof of identity in elections conducted by county election boards or the State Election Board.

The proposal would apply to authorized voting methods and would direct the Legislature to enact laws specifying the requirements for proof of identity. The official ballot title says the measure would have no fiscal impact.

SQ 846 does not itself list the acceptable forms of identification. The Legislature would retain responsibility for defining those requirements.

How SQ 846 differs from current Oklahoma law

Oklahoma already requires proof of identity for voters casting ballots in person at a precinct polling place or during early voting at a county election board.

Under current rules, voters may use qualifying government-issued photo identification. The document must be issued by the United States, Oklahoma or a federally recognized tribal government and generally must include the voter’s name, photograph and an expiration date after the election, unless it is valid indefinitely.

Voters also may use the free voter-identification card issued by their county election board. That card does not include a photograph.

A voter who does not have identification or declines to show it may cast a provisional ballot and sign a sworn affidavit. County election officials investigate the information after Election Day before deciding whether the ballot qualifies for counting under the applicable verification rules.

So a yes vote on SQ 846 would not create a new voter-ID process beginning August 25. The current statutory process remains operative unless lawmakers later change it. The proposed amendment would move the proof-of-identity requirement into the Constitution while leaving detailed requirements to future legislation.

What voters should know before August 25

All registered Oklahoma voters may vote on both state questions, regardless of party affiliation. Other contests on a runoff ballot may have separate eligibility rules.

The runoff is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, with polling places open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The absentee-ballot request deadline passed on August 10. Voters should confirm their registration, polling place and ballot information through the Oklahoma State Election Board’s voter resources.

Voters casting an in-person ballot should bring accepted photo identification, their free county voter-identification card or be prepared to use the provisional-ballot affidavit process if necessary.

Sources

• Oklahoma State Election Board: State Questions
• KGOU/Oklahoma Watch: What to know about SQ 846

Look for updates to this story

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