Senate panel advances State Election Board budget; officials outline phased plan for voting-system replacement

The Oklahoma Senate Appropriations Subcommittee advanced the State Election Board’s budget package to the full appropriations committee after testimony describing a multi-year approach to replacing the state’s voting system.

Paul Zierich, identified in the hearing as secretary of the State Election Board, told senators the existing voting system "is aging though, it's been in use since the 20 12 election." Zierich said the board’s preferred timeline would begin procurement in calendar year 2026, use 2027 to receive, test and implement a replacement, and have the system ready by 2028. He said the board’s $35,000,000 one-time request to replace the system could be phased over several years and the legislature could establish a deposit fund to smooth payments.

The subcommittee also discussed smaller items in the Election Board budget: a $100,000 one-time request for enhanced certified-official training and an approximately $50,000 move into Jim Thorpe (the relocation was later described as slipping to FY 2027 and therefore not included this year). Committee members examined the board’s revolving fund, which Zierich said held about $718,000 and would be used for some one-time costs and for three special legislative elections not otherwise funded.

Why it matters: Replacing the statewide voting system is a significant one-time cost with operational and timeline implications for election administration. The committee’s decision to forward the request means the item will be subject to bargaining in the full appropriations process, where the amount, timing and phasing could be altered.

What the committee decided and next steps: The subcommittee voted to send the Election Board’s budget (including its requests and the conversation about the $35 million replacement plan) to the full appropriations committee. Senators asked the board for follow-up information on phasing options and the practical limits of using revolving funds for one-time expenses.

Supporting details from the hearing: - Paul Zierich (Secretary, State Election Board): "It is aging though, it's been in use since the 20 12 election. Our hope is to be able to go out, forbid, at some point in calendar year, 2026 so that we could spend calendar year 2027, being able to receive, test, and implement that and then have it in place for use in 2028." (explaining the procurement and implementation timeline) - Zierich said the board has about $718,000 on hand in its revolving fund and noted that the board will use available funds for immediate one-time needs and three special legislative elections.

Ending: The Election Board’s full funding requests and the $35 million voting-system replacement concept now move to full appropriations; staff and board members were asked to provide additional detail about phasing and how revolving funds could be applied.