Oklahoma voters will decide whether to abolish an article of the state Constitution so that a Ten Commandments monument can be returned to the Capitol grounds.
The House voted 65-7 on Thursday for a resolution calling for a statewide vote on whether to remove a constitutional prohibition on the use of state funds to support a religion. The state Supreme Court relied on that section of the Constitution in June when it ordered a 6-foot-tall granite Ten Commandments monument moved from the Capitol grounds.
The monument's removal struck an angry nerve with many Oklahomans, particularly Republican lawmakers.
“Since the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s decision in June regarding the Ten Commandments monument, my constituents wanted to know what could be done,” said Rep. John Paul Jordan, R-Yukon. “I knew it would be a difficult proposition to undo the ruling, so we looked at giving voters the opportunity to remove the basis for the ruling. I want to thank Senator Rob Standridge for working with me on making sure this measure went forward, as well as my colleagues in the House and the wonderful people who have written and called the Capitol to make sure this measure passed.”
The American Civil Liberties Union of Oklahoma, which sued to remove it, has vowed another challenge in federal court if the statue is returned.
