19th Oklahoma Legislature

The 19th Oklahoma Legislature was a historical session of the legislative branch of the state government of Oklahoma. It consisted of the Oklahoma Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives and met during the term of Governor Robert S. Kerr. The legislature held its regular session at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City from January 5 through April 1, 1943. It later reconvened in a special session from April 10 through April 21, 1944. The regular session took place during the Second World War, when state government operated in a context shaped by military mobilization and the absence of some public officials who were called into service. The legislature's subsequent special session was convened by Governor Kerr to address the participation of military personnel in the 1944 elections. The session was intended to ensure that Oklahoma servicemen and servicewomen could exercise their voting rights while serving away from home. The Senate was presided over ceremonially and in joint sessions by Lieutenant Governor James E. Berry, who also possessed a tie-breaking vote in the Senate. Tom Anglin served as President Pro Tempore and was the chamber's primary presiding officer. Anglin had previously served as Speaker of the Oklahoma House during the administration of Governor William H. Murray. The Oklahoma Democratic Party controlled 93 seats in the House of Representatives in 1943, giving it the ability to choose the chamber's speaker. Harold Freeman of Pauls Valley served as Speaker during the regular session. Freeman was later called to military service and could not preside during the 1944 special session, so Merle Lansden, a Marine private from Beaver, Oklahoma, served as speaker for that session. R. M. Mountcastle of Muskogee served as Speaker Pro Tempore. The legislature is now a historical governmental body rather than an active institution. Its significance lies principally in the functioning of Oklahoma's state government during wartime, the changes in legislative leadership caused by military service, and the 1944 effort to facilitate voting by military personnel.

The 19th Oklahoma Legislature was the state legislature serving Oklahoma during the administration of Governor Robert S. Kerr. Like other Oklahoma legislatures, it was bicameral, consisting of the Oklahoma Senate and the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Its regular meeting occurred at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City from January 5 to April 1, 1943. The legislature operated during the Second World War, a period in which military mobilization affected public administration and legislative personnel. The Oklahoma Democratic Party held 93 seats in the House in 1943, giving it sufficient control to select the speaker. Harold Freeman of Pauls Valley became speaker for the regular session, while R. M. Mountcastle of Muskogee served as Speaker Pro Tempore. In the Senate, Lieutenant Governor James E. Berry served as president of the chamber. His constitutional role included a tie-breaking vote and ceremonial or joint-session presiding duties. Tom Anglin, a former House speaker from the administration of Governor William H. Murray, served as President Pro Tempore and acted as the Senate's principal presiding officer. The legislature reconvened in a special session from April 10 to April 21, 1944. Governor Kerr called the session to address the ability of Oklahoma military personnel to participate in the 1944 elections. The issue reflected the practical difficulties faced by servicemen and servicewomen who were serving away from the state or outside their ordinary voting jurisdictions. The special session also produced a change in House leadership. Freeman could not continue as speaker because he had been called to military service. Merle Lansden, identified as a Marine private from Beaver, Oklahoma, served as speaker during the special meeting. The 19th Legislature ended with the conclusion of its special session and was followed by the 20th Oklahoma Legislature. It is not an ongoing organization or commercial enterprise; its identity is tied to a defined constitutional term of Oklahoma's state government. Its historical importance is associated with wartime governance, the effect of military service on elected officeholders, legislative party control, and state action intended to preserve electoral participation for members of the armed forces.

• 1944

  Special session on military voting

  [1]19th Oklahoma Legislatureen.wikipedia.org

  Governor Robert S. Kerr convened a special session from April 10 through April 21, 1944, to help military personnel participate in the 1944 elections.

• 1944

  House speaker changes during special session

  [1]19th Oklahoma Legislatureen.wikipedia.org

  Because Harold Freeman had been called to military service, Merle Lansden served as House speaker during the 1944 special session.

• 1943

  Regular session opens

  [1]19th Oklahoma Legislatureen.wikipedia.org

  The 19th Oklahoma Legislature began its regular session at the Oklahoma State Capitol in Oklahoma City on January 5, 1943.

• 1943

  Regular session concludes

  [1]19th Oklahoma Legislatureen.wikipedia.org

  The regular session concluded on April 1, 1943.

A historical state legislative institution responsible for lawmaking and election-related governance in Oklahoma during 1943–1944.

• 1944

  Special-session measures to facilitate military votingOther

  Background

  Military personnel faced difficulties participating in the 1944 elections while serving away from their usual Oklahoma voting locations.

  Action taken

  Governor Robert S. Kerr called the legislature into special session from April 10 through April 21, 1944, to address military participation in the elections.

  Aftermath

  The special session became the legislature's final recorded meeting and highlighted the impact of wartime service on state electoral administration.

  Source

• 1944

  Governor calls special session to support military voting[1]19th Oklahoma Legislatureen.wikipedia.org

  Regulation · Other

  Governor Robert S. Kerr called the legislature into special session from April 10 through April 21, 1944, to help military men and women participate in the 1944 elections.

• 1944

  Military service changes House leadership during the special session[1]19th Oklahoma Legislatureen.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Harold Freeman was unable to serve as House speaker after being called to military service, and Merle Lansden presided during the special session.

• 1943

  19th Oklahoma Legislature convenes for its regular session[1]19th Oklahoma Legislatureen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The Oklahoma Senate and House of Representatives met at the State Capitol in Oklahoma City from January 5 through April 1, 1943.

1. 119th Oklahoma Legislatureen.wikipedia.org