Opinion

In Re Initiative Petitions Nos. 112, 114, 117, 118

  • 153 Okla. 205
  • 6 P.2d 703
  • 1931 OK 769
  • 1931 Okla. LEXIS 453
Court
Supreme Court of Oklahoma
Filed
Dec 16, 1931
Status
Published
Author
Hefner
On the bench
Hefner, Clark, Kornegay, Riley, Wind, Lester, McNeill, Kornegax, Rilex, Swindall, Andrews
Cited by
7 cases
Authority
More cited than 77.5%

The opinion

*206

HEFNER, J.

This is an application for an injunction against tlie State Auditor. The object is to prevent him from paying- out funds in connection with the holding of an election on December 18, 1931, on the above initiated petitions.

The petitions were filed in the office of the Secretary of State within the time provided by law. From an order of the Secretary of State upholding the petitions, an appeal was prosecuted to this court and, during the pendency of the appeal, this application for injunctive relief has been made.

In the case of McAlester, Sec. of State Election Board, v. State ex rel. Short, Atty. Gen., 95 Okla. 200 , 219 Pac. 134 , this court said:

“When the Legislature authorizes the submission of a proposed amendment to the Oonstitution to the people, it merely places in motion the process of the people’s exercising their reserved legislative power, and a court of equity will not assume, in advance, jurisdiction to determine whether the .proposed amendment, if adopted, is submitted and adopted in accordance with the law governing the same.”

The same rule was announced in the case of McAlester v. State ex rel. Walton, 96 Okla. 143 , 221 Pac. 779 . We think the ease at bar comes within the rule announced in the above cases.

When the copy of the petitions were filed in the office of the Secretary of State, and thereafter signed by what seemed to be a sufficient number of the voters of the state to initiate the measure, it placed in motion the process of the people’s exercising their reserved legislative power, and a court of equity, as a general rule, will not assume, in advance, jurisdiction to determine whether the proposed act, if adopted, is submitted and adopted in accordance with the law governing the same.

The validity or sufficiency of the proceedings is now p'ending before the court for future determination, and at this time we express no opinion as to the validity thereof.

If the State Auditor should authorize the paying out of any funds before the final determination of the .proceedings herein, and it should finally be held that the election was illegal and void, it can then be determined whether or not the Auditor and his bondsmen are liable. At this time we express no opinion thereon.

On the showing made, we refuse to issue the injunction.

LESTER, O. I., -CLARK, V. C. J., and McNEILL and KORNEGAX, JJ., concur.

RILEX, -OULLTjSIONij i SWINDALL, and ANDREWS, JJ., dissent.'

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.

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