Seven state questions are on the ballot for the November general election. All of them address issues that will affect and reshape life in Oklahoma.
“The presidential candidates may not necessarily be exciting in terms of turnout,” said Dr. Richard Johnson, chairman of the history and political science departments. “But voting may be more important when the candidates are less appealing because there are still important decisions to be made.”
One such decision is SQ 792, a bill that would reform the state’s liquor laws. If approved, the measure would repeal Article 28 of the Oklahoma Constitution and replace it with a new set of laws governing alcoholic beverages, making it so that general stores such as Wal-Mart would have a stronger role in alcohol business manufacturing. The mandate also would increase the strength and potency of the liquor.
“I’d be surprised to see 792 fail to pass,” Johnson said. “The people who are for it are very well-financed, and they’ve done a very good job at using the media in their favor. The other side really doesn’t have the resources to fight back.”
Another topic being addressed in this year’s state questions is the subject of sentencing reform. SQ 780 and SQ 781 work in tandem to raise the monetary amount for a felony, as well as, if the former is passed, allow the increase of money to be reinvested into mental health funding. These questions must be passed together.
“A lot of criminals should be getting education or going into rehab as opposed to being thrown in jail, which is the worst thing that you could do to them, as well as being more expensive,” Johnson said.
Many students have found their opinions are in conflict with their peers. The biggest concern among the student body, however, has been to maintain respectful disagreement and secure the advancement of state politics, said Billy Speed, music theater junior.
“There can be a lot of unhealthy tension that can occur from disagreement of opinions,” he said.
“I hope the divisive nature of this particular election doesn’t translate too much in the student body.”
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