Election Board head praises Senate Bill 481 to protect Oklahoma election officials

Oklahoma’s top election officer praised a new law making it a crime to harass or threaten the state’s election workers.

"It is unfortunate that even here in the state of Oklahoma, election officials have been doxed, harassed and even threatened by people who believe false claims about the conduct and administration of elections," Oklahoma State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said this week. "As one of those who has been doxed and threatened, I can tell you that election officials across this state are very grateful to the Legislature and the governor for taking these threats seriously and enacting this legislation to deter and punish such actions in the future."

Gov. Kevin Stitt this week signed Senate Bill 481, which makes it a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 to threaten, intimidate, harass or dox election workers. Doxing refers to the act of publishing a person’s address and other personal information online, typically to make the person a target. Under the bill, a person could be guilty of the offense if revealing the information of an election officer results in the individual having a reasonable fear of death or serious bodily injury.

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This same punishment also could be given to anyone who falsely impersonates an election official and performs any of their duties with the intent to improperly influence an election.

The bill, which passed overwhelmingly in both houses, gives the state Election Board secretary the authority to keep information about election officials confidential.

According to a state Election Board spokesperson, credible threats were made by an individual against Ziriax and Tulsa County Election Board Secretary Gwen Freeman last year and were reported to local, state and federal law enforcement. An investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Legislature still has under consideration a bipartisan bill to boost the pay of some election workers. Ziriax is backing the bill, saying it would help recruit and retain election workers. The measure, which would add about $805,000 to the cost of a statewide election, likely won’t receive a final vote until lawmakers work out the details of the budget.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma election secretary praises bill to prohibit threats, doxing