The law, which took effect last year, required petition circulators to be registered Oklahoma voters, capped the number of signatures that could be gathered in each county, restricted how circulators could be paid, barred out-of-state funding for petition drives, and added new reporting and disclosure requirements. The majority found that these provisions placed unconstitutional burdens on petition campaigns and could not be separated from the rest of the law, voiding SB 1027 in its entirety.

The ruling means the state statutes governing petitions that existed before SB 1027 will remain in force. Petition campaigns must still meet those pre-existing requirements, but the new restrictions no longer apply.

Four justices dissented, arguing that some provisions—including the county signature caps—should have been allowed to stand.

Supporters of the decision framed it as a victory for direct democracy and for residents of Oklahoma’s largest cities, who they said were unfairly targeted by the county caps.

“I am relieved to see the Oklahoma Supreme Court strike this measure down and affirm every Oklahoman’s right to be heard,” said Rep. Suzanne Schreiber, D-Tulsa. “The majority opinion affirmed a core principle in Oklahoma’s constitution: the right of citizens to put people over politics.”

Schreiber noted that Oklahomans have used the petition process to address issues from term limits to Medicaid when state government failed to act. “While I may not support every issue that is put before the people, the debate is had and people, not politicians, decide,” she said. “This is a win for every Oklahoman.”

Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt, D-Oklahoma City, said the ruling “puts power back where it belongs – with the people. Senate Democrats knew this legislation was unconstitutional and proudly fought for Oklahomans’ right to solve problems that out-of-touch politicians refuse to address.”

Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt, who had been a vocal critic of SB 1027, issued a sharply worded statement celebrating the decision. He argued that the law effectively told residents of Oklahoma City and Tulsa that they were “not Oklahoman enough” to contribute signatures to statewide petitions.

“Every adult citizen who is registered to vote in Oklahoma is an Oklahoman,” Holt said. “Senate Bill 1027 attempted to create a new dynamic where most registered citizens who live in Oklahoma City and Tulsa were no longer considered sufficiently Oklahoman.”

He called the law “immoral and undemocratic” and said it was “clearly unconstitutional.”

“I commend the Oklahoma Supreme Court for striking down this unjust and unconstitutional law, in its entirety,” Holt said. “Today’s ruling is correct on the law and correct on the policy.”

The decision is a significant win for progressive and grassroots groups that rely on the initiative process to advance policies that may stall in the Republican-controlled Legislature, such as Medicaid expansion, criminal justice reform, and environmental protections. By removing the county caps and circulator restrictions, the ruling makes it easier for campaigns to gather signatures across the state, particularly in densely populated urban areas.

Opponents of SB 1027 argued that the law was a thinly veiled attempt to suppress citizen-led ballot measures by making it harder to collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. The county caps, in particular, were seen as a way to limit the influence of Oklahoma City and Tulsa, where large numbers of signatures could be gathered quickly.

The court’s decision restores the petition process to its previous state, but the debate over direct democracy in Oklahoma is likely to continue. Legislative leaders have not indicated whether they will attempt to pass new restrictions in the upcoming session.

For now, Oklahomans retain the ability to propose and vote on laws and constitutional amendments, a right that has been exercised on issues ranging from alcohol sales to medical marijuana. The ruling ensures that right remains accessible to all registered voters, regardless of where they live.