We are just a few weeks away from the start of our next legislative session, and I am greatly looking forward to it. For the past several years, I have had the privilege of serving as the chairman of the House Elections and Ethics Committee.

The matter of election integrity is very important to the people of Oklahoma. We are recognized as one of the very best in the country on the integrity and security of our election system.

According to the conservative Heritage Foundation, Oklahoma is number 5 in the nation, out of our 50 states.

My goal, since chairing the elections and ethics committee in 2021, has been to push for gradual and steady improvement in our system, closer and closer to perfection.

I was honored a few weeks ago when I received word that I would be able to continue to serve as chairman for the upcoming session.

I already have some ideas about how to further improve election integrity in the state of Oklahoma.

I was also named to serve on the House Government Oversight Committee, the House Criminal Judiciary Committee and the House Appropriations & Budget Subcommittee on Public Safety.

Jan. 16 is the deadline for representatives to file legislation for the upcoming session.

Rest assured that throughout this session I will review each bill before me thoroughly to ensure they align with the Godly, conservative principles I was sent here by you to represent.

Rep. Jim Olsen represents District 2 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which includes portions of Sequoyah County.