State Summary
Oklahoma’s audit statute, first enacted in 2019 and revised in 2025 (effective 11/1/25), requires the secretary of the State Election Board to direct the secretary of a county election board to conduct a post-election audit of election results following general, primary, presidential primary, and runoff primary elections. The statute also allows the secretary to require audits after “any election.” The post-election audit may involve a “manual or electronic examination” of ballots. The method, timing and procedures for conducting a post-election audit are determined by the secretary of the State Election Board.
Unless otherwise specified, statutory references are to Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 3-130.
Voting Systems Used
All Oklahoma counties use hand-marked paper ballots and optical scanners that have a direct recording assistive interface without VVPAT for accessibility. For the most up to date information please visit Verified Voting’s Verifier.
For an explanation on the types of voting equipment used, click here.
Audit Comprehensiveness
The audit statute directs the secretary of the State Election Board to determine the audit procedures and does not address which ballots are included in the audit. Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 3-130(B). While we could not find formal guidance on audit comprehensiveness, prior audit reports suggest that, in practice, election day, early voting, and mail ballots are included in the audit.
Transparency
The secretary of a county election board must report the findings of a post-election audit to the secretary of the State Election Board, and this report must be available to the public. Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 3-130(C). Although the statute does not specify who may observe the audit, based on audit reports, it appears that the audit is generally open to the public.
Audit Counting Method
The statute defines a post-election audit as a “manual or electronic examination of a limited number of ballots.” Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 3-130(E). As a result, we consider the counting method to be determined by election officials. In practice, based on prior audit reports, it appears that the audit is conducted manually.
Type Of Audit Units
No statutory guidance is provided on this matter. In practice, based on prior audit reports, it appears that precincts are treated as the audit unit for election day voting and that full counts of mail or early voting ballots are audited.
Contests & Issues Audited
No statutory guidance is provided on which contests are audited, although statute does specify that audits must be conducted after general, primary, presidential primary, and runoff primary elections. The statute also grants the secretary the authority to require audits after “any election.” Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 3-130(A).
Addressing Discrepancies
No statutory guidance is provided on this matter.
For recount laws, please visit our Recount Law Database.
Timeline
The timing of the audit is determined by the secretary of the State Election Board. Based on audit reports, recent audits have taken place after certification.
Binding On Official Outcomes
The statute does not specify whether audit results are binding. Recent audit reports note that “audit reports cannot be used to change or alter certified election results for an election.”
Oversight & Conduct
The secretary of the State Election Board oversees the audit while the county election boards conduct the audit.
Ballot Protection
The county election board shall not disturb anything in the transfer case, and the case shall remain sealed, except to conduct a post-election audit as directed by the secretary of the State Election Board, and retained by the secretary of the county election board until opened by court order, at which time the ballots shall be destroyed. The county election board shall not share storage space (where ballots, voter registration records or election equipment) unless authorized by the secretary of the State Election Board. For more information, see Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 2-121 and Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 7-134.
Additional Targeted Samples
No statutory guidance is provided on this matter.
Resources
Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 3-130: Audit statute
Oklahoma Post-Election Audit Reports
Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 2-121 and Okla. Stat. tit. 26, § 7-134: Ballot protection
Last updated: August 19, 2025