2016 Oklahoma State Question 777

State Question 777

November 8, 2016 (2016-11-08)
Oklahoma Right to Farm Referendum
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 569,668 39.71% No 864,827 60.29% Total votes 1,434,495[1] 100.00%
Precinct results County results No:      >90%      80–90%      70–80%      60–70%      50–60% Yes:      >90%      80–90%      70–80%      60–70%      50–60% Other:      Tie      No votes

Oklahoma State Question 777 was a referendum on a proposed amendment to the Oklahoma Constitution held in November 2016. The referendum attempted to exempt agriculture and agribusiness from compliance with state laws passed in 2015 and later, unless a "compelling state interest" was involved.

The referendum was hotly controversial. Supporters referred to State Question 777 as 'right to farm', while opposition groups referred to it as the 'right to harm', citing concerns over water supply quality, animal welfare, small farmer interests, and loss of representative government. The amendment was generally agreed by scholars and the media to be poorly written with much room for interpretation by legislators and judges, which would likely cause numerous expensive and time-consuming lawsuits to the detriment of the people and farmers of Oklahoma if passed.^[2] The referendum failed, with the vote going 58-42% against the amendment.