CPAC Poll: Oklahomans Support Criminal Justice Reform

A CPAC poll supported by the Nolan Center for Justice and conducted by Stratus Intelligence revealed encouraging data on public support for criminal justice reform.

Below is a summary of the poll's findings.

A recent statewide survey of Oklahoma registered voters finds strong, bipartisan—and notably conservative— support for criminal justice reform, including broad approval of past voter-approved reforms and clear permission to build on them during the upcoming legislative session.

Oklahoma voters continue to support reforms such as State Question 780 and State Question 781, and they believe it is important to responsibly advance additional policy changes that improve public safety, reduce repeat offending, and reserve incarceration for serious threats. Voters do not view reform as being in tension with law and order; instead, they see it as a way to make the system tougher, fairer, and more effective.

These findings are especially relevant as lawmakers consider a range of criminal justice proposals this session. The data show that reform is not only substantively popular but also politically safe, including among Republican voters.

Criminal Justice Reform Is Mainstream and Politically Advantageous

Nearly three out of four registered voters (73%) support criminal justice reform, including 64% of Republicans. Opposition is minimal.

Importantly, criminal justice reform is a political asset. By an 8-to-1 margin, voters say they are more likely rather than less likely to vote for a candidate who supports reform— demonstrating that reform carries high upside and very limited political risk.

More than two-thirds (68% say they are more likely to vote for a candidate for Governor or Attorney General who supports spending more money on education, job training and drug and mental health treatment to reduce Oklahoma incarceration rates.

Voters Support Reducing Incarceration When It Improves Public Safety

Voters support reducing incarceration when it is framed around safety and outcomes, not leniency. 66% of voters believe it is important to reduce the jail and prison population, particularly by focusing incarceration on serious and violent offenders.

This reflects a desire for a more targeted system—one that prioritizes public safety while avoiding unnecessary incarceration that does little to reduce crime.

Past Voter-Approved Reforms Remain Popular and Trusted

Support for past reforms remains strong years after enactment. 73% of voters continue to support State Question 780, and voters overwhelmingly oppose rolling back its key provisions.

Support for State Question 781, which reinvests prison savings into treatment and community safety programs, is also strong and bipartisan.

By a 4-to-1 margin, voters would rather keep the felony theft threshold at $1,000 or raise it rather than return to the previous $500 threshold—clear evidence that voters are comfortable distinguishing low-level offenses from serious crime.

Broad Support for Additional Reforms Under Consideration This Session

Voters across party lines support a range of session-relevant reforms designed to improve fairness, effectiveness, and public safety, including:

Allowing prosecutors to review old sentences

Eliminating court fees unrelated to punishment or victim compensation

Allowing more individuals to be considered for release by the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board on a case-by-case basis when there is no victim opposition

Expanding Clean Slate eligibility for individuals who remain crime-free

85% of voters oppose allowing the government to take and keep a person’s property without a criminal conviction, underscoring strong support for civil asset forfeiture reform

Voters Feel Safe and Want Resources Directed Toward Prevention and Treatment

More than 9 in 10 Oklahomans report feeling safe in their communities, reinforcing that the state is not in a crime panic environment and that voters are open to evidence-based reforms.

When asked where additional public safety funding should go, nearly 8 in 10 voters prefer investments in drug treatment, mental health services, or education, rather than expanded incarceration or law enforcement alone. Voters also identify addiction and mental health challenges—not lack of enforcement— as primary drivers of crime.

Conclusion

The data are clear: criminal justice reform is mainstream in Oklahoma, supported by Republicans, Independents, and Democrats alike. Voters remain confident in past reforms and want policymakers to continue improving the system in ways that strengthen public safety, reduce repeat offending, and provide meaningful second chances when appropriate.

As the Legislature considers criminal justice proposals this session, this research provides clear voter permission to lead—responsibly, thoughtfully, and with confidence

Methodology

This survey was conducted statewide among 500 registered Oklahoma voters from January 12–15, 2026, using a mixed methodology of 70% text message (SMS) and 30% live phone interviews. The margin of error is ±4.4 percentage points. The questionnaire included detailed policy batteries designed to test both high-level attitudes and session-specific proposals.

Read the full results of the poll here.