State Senator Pushes To Require Proof Of Natural-Born Citizenship For Presidential Candidates

News9.com

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Sen. Ralph Shortey amended an Oklahoma Senate measure Monday that would require presidential primary candidates to provide proof of natural-born United States citizenship upon filing with the state election board.

Shortey, R-Oklahoma City, added the provision to Senate Bill 91, which would require candidates for public office to provide photo identification and proof of eligibility to hold office.

The new addition to the measure calls for a candidate to provide an original birth certificate issued by a state, an original birth certificate issued by the federal government, an original United States Certificate of Birth Abroad, or an original Report of Birth Abroad of a Citizen of the United States.

The State Election Board would make copies of the documents and keep them available for public inspection.

"My goal in advancing this amendment is to ensure all presidential candidates adhere to our constitutional requirements for eligibility," said Shortey. "Approval of this proposal would not unnecessarily complicate the filing process. This is a simple requirement to secure our election process and make it less likely that abuses occur in the system."