New Law Clarifies Voting Rights After Pardons, Commutations

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — It was back in 2019 when Governor Stitt signed the largest single-day commutation in U.S. history.

“More than 450 Oklahomans are getting a second chance today,” said Governor Stitt.

But along with that second chance came some confusion about being able to vote.

“When people don’t know, they don’t act,” said State Rep. Regina Goodwin. She says it wasn’t spelled out in the law that if your sentence was commuted you could once again vote and some people were of the mindset that they’d never be able to vote again.

“That’s where my mindset was, yes,” said Ron Harding. He served 12 years for a non-violent drug offense before his sentence was commuted, and says before his trouble with the law voting was something he took pride in.

“Prior to my incarceration, I voted consistently,” he said.

He’s now been out for four years and thanks to Rep. Goodwin’s HB1629, there will be no doubt that his voting ability will be restored.

“This deals when the Governor is involved and provides a pardon, a commuted sentence to time served, when there’s been a sentence that’s been discharged or when there’s been a reclassification from a felony to a misdemeanor to time served, then that person can vote,” said Goodwin.

Tuesday Rep. Goodwin will attend the Governor’s ceremonial signing of the bill, helping to raise awareness for the new law.

“This is about democracy,” said Goodwin.

Likewise, Harding has a message for those who are still behind bars.