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David Morgan and Kenneth Meier (1980) were the first to examine the impact of religion
on moral ballot measures. Their study included the 1959 prohibition repeal as well as several
issues that were presented before voters in the 1970s including the barring of Sunday sales,
providing liquor by the drink, and the authorization of pari-mutuel betting. They employed three
categories of religion (Catholic, fundamentalist, and other Protestant) as independent variables.
They also considered the independent variables of rural isolation, socioeconomic status, and
liquor consumption. The results, they found, provided strong evidence that religion did matter
and was equally important as socioeconomic status on the outcome of the vote.
A subsequent study (Satterthwaite 2005) looked at the same variables on Oklahoma
referenda involving moral issues in the 1980s and 1990s, two of which were previously defeated
by voters. It used essentially the same factors including three categories of religion - Catholic,
evangelical Protestants, and mainline Protestants (more precisely defined with the evolution of
research on the topic) as independent variables. The study considered another pari-mutuel
betting measure and liquor by the drink law. It also included referenda to liberalize liquor sales
during elections
1
, the establishment of a state lottery, and the legalization of gambling. This
study found that religion still played an important role in determining voting behavior on moral
issues. Like Morgan and Meier, Satterthwaite’s study also suggested that socioeconomic status
is an important indicator in determining the outcome of moral issue referenda.
2004 State Questions
State Question 705
Brad Henry made a state lottery a key component of his 2002 gubernatorial campaign.
Following his election and subsequent inauguration, Henry kept his campaign promise and
proposed a lottery with proceeds earmarked for education to the Oklahoma State Legislature.
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Oklahoma’s constitution prohibits the sale of alcohol during national, state, county and city elections.
Convention