The Oklahoma State Supreme Court heard arguments on Tuesday about accusations of illegal absentee ballot harvesting in a recent election. The case involves the State Senate District 15 runoff between Robert Keyes and Lisa Standridge, who won by 55 votes. After the election, a recount was ordered by the court.
Keyes claims that Standridge’s campaign and election officials hid evidence and stopped an investigation into the alleged ballot harvesting. Ballot harvesting occurs when someone collects completed absentee ballots from voters and delivers them to polling places. While this can help those who can’t make it to voting stations, it is considered illegal in Oklahoma and can lead to fraud.
Keyes’ attorney, Gideon Lincecum, argued that the case should be sent back to district court for further review of the evidence. Lincecum said the original judge didn’t make a decision because of miscommunications with the opposing attorneys. He also claimed to have found evidence of illegal ballot harvesting and election irregularities, accusing Standridge’s campaign, the Oklahoma Election Board, and the Cleveland County Election Board of possible serious crimes.
The opposing lawyers argued that the case should be dismissed, saying the evidence doesn’t show any irregularities. Standridge, who was not present at the hearing, did not respond to requests for comment. She previously won the November primary with 61% of the vote and is the wife of former State Senator Rob Standridge, who left the seat due to term limits.
Keyes was at the hearing and accused the group involved of trying to cover up “15 crimes” related to the election. The referee from the Supreme Court will review the case and issue her findings in the next few weeks.