Voters in Murray County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the April 2 Davis Board of Education, SOTC Board of Education, and Sulphur Municipal Election, should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Rhonda Summers said today.
Absentee ballots are available to all registered voters, provided they are eligible to vote in the election requested. No excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot.
The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is 5:00 p.m. Monday, March 18. Voters can submit a request using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp. Request forms are also available at oklahoma.gov/elections and at the County Election Board office located at 703 W. 11th, Sulphur.
Summers reminds voters to allow time for an absentee ballot to be received, completed, and returned by mail to the County Election Board. “With some exceptions, all absentee ballot affidavits must be notarized before being returned. Voters should give themselves plenty of time to make sure all steps have been followed and that the ballot is returned on time in order to be counted,” Summers said.
Voters exempt from having an absentee ballot affidavit notarized include those who are physically incapacitated and those who care for physically incapacitated individuals who cannot be left alone. Voters who request a “physically incapacitated” ballot must have the signature on their absentee ballot affidavit witnessed by two people.
Military personnel and residents living overseas, along with their spouses and dependents are also eligible for certain allowances. Military personnel should con- tact the Voting Services Officer in their unit for an Absentee Ballot Application. Residents living overseas may obtain Absentee Ballot Applications from any United States military installation or United States Embassy or Consulate. Military personnel and overseas citizens who are already registered voters in Oklahoma may apply for absentee ballots using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma. gov/elections/ovp. Those who need to complete a new Voter Registration Application should apply through the Federal Voting Assistance Program at FVAP.gov.
All completed absentee ballots must be in the hands of the County Election Board no later than 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
The Murray County Election Board is located at 703 W. 11th, Sulphur and is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, please contact the Election Board at 580-622-3800.
Deadline To Change Party Affiliation Approaches
Oklahomans who want to change their party affiliation must submit their change no later than March 31, Murray County Election Board Secretary Rhonda Summers said this week. Voters may change their party affiliation online using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp or by completing a new Voter Registration Application.
Summers reminds voters that no party changes are allowed from April 1 through August 31 during an even-numbered year.
“If we receive your request after March 31, we are required by law to hold that request and process it in September,” Summers said.
Oklahoma has three recognized parties: Democratic, Republican, and Libertarian.
In Oklahoma, voters must be a registered member of a party in order to vote in that party’s primary election. Independents are permitted to participate in a primary election, only if a party officially requests its elections be opened to Independent voters. Currently, only the Democratic Party allows Independents to vote in its primary elections.
All registered voters, regardless of political affiliation, can vote for any candidate during a General Election.
Voter Registration Applications can be downloaded from the State Election Board website at oklahoma.gov/elections. Applications are also available at the Murray County Election Board located at 703 W. 11th, Sulphur. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, contact the County Election Board at 580-622-3800.
Voter Registration Deadline Approaches
Friday, March, 8, is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the April 2 Davis Board of Education, SOTC Board of Education, and Sulphur Municipal Election, Murray County Election Board Secretary Rhonda Summers said today.
Summers said that persons who are United States Citizens, residents of Oklahoma, and at least 17 ½ years old are eligible to apply for voter registration. However, you must be at least 18 years old to vote.
Applications must be received by the County Election Board or postmarked no later than midnight, March 8. Applications postmarked after that time will be accepted, but will not be processed until after the April 2 Election. Applications may also be submitted to any motor vehicle agency that is also an official voter registration agency by the submission deadline.
Applicants will be notified in writing when their application has been processed. Approved voters will receive a Voter Identification Card in the mail. Some may receive a letter that explains the reason or reasons the application was not approved. Summers said those who do not receive a response within 30 days of submitting their application should contact the County Election Board office immediately.
The Murray County Election Board reminds voters that applications must be approved by the County Election Board Secretary in order to vote.
Registered voters who have moved to Murray County from a different county or state will need to complete a new Voter Registration Application in order to be eligible for elections in Murray County. If you have moved within the county and need to update your address, you may make changes online using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp or complete a Voter Registration Application.
Voter Registration Applications can be downloaded from the State Election Board website at oklahoma.gov/elections. You may also complete a form at your County Election Board. Most post offices, tag agencies, and public libraries have applications available upon request.
The Murray County Election Board is located at 703 W. 11th, Sulphur and is open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, please contact the Election Board at 580-622-3800.
