Here’s the official ballot title for State Question 845, as it will appear on your November 3 ballot:
This measure amends article 7-B, section 3 of the Oklahoma Constitution, changing the Judicial Nominating Commission’s structure. Currently appointments are based on congressional districts as constituted in 1967. If approved, appointments to the fifteen-member Commission will be as follows: 1) Governor appoints six members, including one from each congressional district as of the time of their appointment; 2) the Oklahoma Bar Association appoints six members, including one from each congressional district as of the date of selection; and 3) no less than eight members select three at-large members. The measure will permit any number of the commissioners to be licensed attorneys in Oklahoma or another state. The prohibition against immediate family members from practicing law will be removed. The measure changes terms so that at-large commissioners would serve a two-year term, and all other commissioners would serve a six-year term. Additionally, it removes restrictions on political party membership for members appointed by the Governor and at-large members. The measure also permits a commissioner to succeed himself or herself. Vacancies will be filled in the same manner as a commissioner is appointed or selected for the remainder of the relevant term. This measure will not have a fiscal impact.
Shall the proposal be approved?
For the proposal – YES
Against the proposal – NO
What supporters and opponents say
- Supporters say that the Bar Association is not an elected organization, therefore they should not be able to nominate judges for the governor to choose. They say more nominees being picked by the legislature would include more accountability for the judges selected.
- Opponents say that the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) was created by voters to be independent from the other branches of government, and it should stay that way. They say this measure violates the separation of powers and would make the judicial nominating process more political.
From our 2026 State Questions Guide.
Our recommendation: vote no
Let’s Fix This recommends a NO vote on State Question 845. But don’t take our word for it. Read OK Policy’s fact sheet on SQ 845 (or download it as a PDF), then hear from a judge who spent 25 years on the bench in Northeast Oklahoma.
“State Question 845 will open the door for corruption and big money politics in our judiciary.
I was proud to serve Northeast OK as a judge for 25 years, and whenever I met judges from other states, they let me know that our judicial selection process here in Oklahoma is one of the fairest in the country.
Judges should be free of obligation to outside influences. This new proposed system is too political and takes us in the wrong direction. Join me and vote no on SQ845.”