Constitutional Scholar Says Easley In Violation

An Oklahoma constitutional scholar says State Senator Mary Easley is violating the Oklahoma Constitution if she does not reside in the district she represents. The university scholar, who wishes to remain anonymous, said the Constitution is clear in establishing residency requirements for members of the Legislature.

He provided this citation: "Members of the Senate shall be at least twenty-five years of age, and members of the House of Representatives twenty-one years of age at the time of their election. They shall be qualified electors in their respective counties or districts and shall reside in their respective counties or districts during their term of office. (Article 5, Section 17, Oklahoma Constitution)"

Easley represents District 18. On June 22nd, 2006, she filed a campaign committee statement of organization listing her address as 9909 East 12th in Tulsa. On July 14, she filed an amended statement listing her address as Box 690027. At some point, she moved outside the district to a home in Owasso, a fact that became public in her reelection campaign. From there, she and her husband, Truman, apparently moved to another home outside the district, this one in Grand Lake Towne in Mayes County in District 29. They registered as voters there on October 2nd, 35 days before she won reelection in District 18.

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