Deadline to request absentee ballot for general election in Alfalfa County approaches

 

October 12, 2022



Voters in Alfalfa County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the Nov. 8 General Election should apply now.

Absentee ballots are available to any registered voter, 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 p.m. Monday, October 24. 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 602 W. 5th St., Ste 3, Cherokee.

Jantz 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 ballots 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 correctly in order to be counted,” Jantz said.

Voters exempt from having a ballot notarized include those who are physically incapacitated, those who care for physically incapacitated individuals that cannot be left alone, and voters confined to nursing homes. Those voters may opt to have their ballot 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 contact Voting Service Officers in their units for absentee application forms. Residents living overseas may obtain absentee voting 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 p.m. on Election Day.

Registered voters who become physically incapacitated after 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, and cannot make it to the polls, still have an opportunity to cast their ballot.

Alfalfa County Election Board Secretary Stephanie Jantz said that state law permits voters who become emergency incapacitated after 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 24, to vote under special provisions. Jantz said emergency incapacitation is something most voters don’t think about.

“Voting is our constitutional right, but life happens. Injury, illness, or even childbirth can prevent a voter from being able to go to the polls. That’s why it’s important to make sure voters know their rights in the event of an emergency.”

If you or someone you know becomes physically incapacitated after 5 p.m. on Oct. 24, contact your county election board as soon as possible. Jantz says election board officials will work with you to make sure you have all of the necessary information to cast your ballot. Forms and information can also be found on the Oklahoma State Election Board website at oklahoma.gov/elections.

Also, sample ballots are now available for the Nov. 8 election. Voters can download a sample ballot using the State Election Board’s OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp or pick up a copy at the Alfalfa County Election Board located at 602 W. 5th St., Ste 3, Cherokee, during normal business hours.

Jantz reminds voters that sample ballots are specific to each person.

“If the OK Voter Portal indicates that you have no sample ballots available, it means you are not eligible to vote in an upcoming election. We recommend checking the OK Voter Portal to make sure you have an election before heading to the polls.”

Jantz said sample ballots will also be posted outside every precinct polling place on election day, so voters can review them before casting their votes.

The Alfalfa County Election Board is located at 602 W. 5th St., Ste 3, Cherokee and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, please contact the Election Board at 580-596-2718 or [email protected].

 

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