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Lawmakers make push to bring online voter registration to Oklahoma

Lawmakers make push to bring online voter registration to Oklahoma
REPORTER OKLAHOMA’S ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION TOOL LETS YOU VIEW YOUR INFORMATION, CHANGE O VOTE. THIS BIL WOULD MAKE THAT HAPPEN BY NEXT YEAR. SENATOR JULIA KURTZ SAYS ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION WILL BOOST TURNOUT AND BRING IN YOUNGER VOTERS. >> JUST TODAY I WAS TALKING TO AN 18-YEAR-OLD, HE HASN’T BEEN ABLE TO REGISTER YET BECAUSE HE NEEDS A RIDE TO THE TAG AGENCY OR THE POST OFFICE TO GET THAT DONE. HE’S NOT REGULARLY MAILING THINGS SO HE DOESN’T HAVE A STAMP. SO THAT’S THE KIND OF PERSON WE’RE TRYING TO REACH. REPORTER: SO WHY ISN’T ONLI REGISTRATION READY NOW? I ASKED THE HEAD OF THE ELECTION BOARD. >> WE WANTED IN OKLAHOMA BUT IT NEEDS TO BE TECHNICALLY FEASIBLE AND SECURE REPORTER: SECRETARY PAUL ZIRIAX SAYS THEY’RE MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS IN PLACE BEFORE IT LAUNCHES. >> IT’S VERY DANGEROUS WITH TECHNOLOGY TO RUSH SOMETHING INTO SERVICE BEFORE IT’S READY . >> OUR ELECTION BOARD IS VERY AHEAD OF THE TIMES ON SECURITY . THEY’RE GONNA DO IT WELL. I JUST WANT IT TO BE FASTER. REPORTER: THAT BILL PASSED SENATE COMMITTEE THIS W
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Lawmakers make push to bring online voter registration to Oklahoma
Lawmakers are making a new push at the state Capitol this week to bring to fruition an online voter registration tool that was authorized five years ago but still is not a reality.The state launched the online system in 2015, and it allows Oklahomans to update their addresses, change their party affiliations and view their information. Oklahoma is just one of 11 states where people can't actually register online yet, but Senate Bill 1282 would set a deadline for the end of 2021 to get that done. "We want everybody participating in these elections," state Sen. Julie Kirt said.Kirt told KOCO 5 she thinks online voter registration will boost voter turnout and bring in younger voters."Just today, I was talking to an 18-year-old. He hasn't been able to register yet because he needs a ride to the tag agency or the post office to get that done," Kirt said. "He's not regularly mailing things, so he doesn't have a stamp. So that's the kind of person we're trying to reach."So why isn't online registration ready yet?"The bottom line is we want it in Oklahoma, we're going to need it in Oklahoma but it needs to be technically feasible and secure," said Paul Ziriax, head of the Oklahoma State Election Board.Ziriax said the election board is making sure everything is in place before the registration feature launches. "It's very dangerous with technology to rush something into service before it's ready, and that's why in Oklahoma, we want to make sure it's not only ready to go but it's also secure."Senate Bill 1282 passed a Senate committee Wednesday and heads to the floor for a vote."Our election board is very ahead of the times on security, cybersecurity as well as our actual election day," Kirt said. "And they're going to do it well. I just want it to be faster."Senate Bill 1282 can be read in its entirety here.

Lawmakers are making a new push at the state Capitol this week to bring to fruition an online voter registration tool that was authorized five years ago but still is not a reality.

The state launched the online system in 2015, and it allows Oklahomans to update their addresses, change their party affiliations and view their information. Oklahoma is just one of 11 states where people can't actually register online yet, but Senate Bill 1282 would set a deadline for the end of 2021 to get that done.

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"We want everybody participating in these elections," state Sen. Julie Kirt said.

Kirt told KOCO 5 she thinks online voter registration will boost voter turnout and bring in younger voters.

"Just today, I was talking to an 18-year-old. He hasn't been able to register yet because he needs a ride to the tag agency or the post office to get that done," Kirt said. "He's not regularly mailing things, so he doesn't have a stamp. So that's the kind of person we're trying to reach."

So why isn't online registration ready yet?

"The bottom line is we want it in Oklahoma, we're going to need it in Oklahoma but it needs to be technically feasible and secure," said Paul Ziriax, head of the Oklahoma State Election Board.

Ziriax said the election board is making sure everything is in place before the registration feature launches.

"It's very dangerous with technology to rush something into service before it's ready, and that's why in Oklahoma, we want to make sure it's not only ready to go but it's also secure."

Senate Bill 1282 passed a Senate committee Wednesday and heads to the floor for a vote.

"Our election board is very ahead of the times on security, cybersecurity as well as our actual election day," Kirt said. "And they're going to do it well. I just want it to be faster."

Senate Bill 1282 can be read in its entirety here.