Voters encouraged to verify voting information
Voters in Garvin County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the Sept. 14 special elections should apply now, according to County Election Board Secretary Gayla Dean.
The Sept. 14 special elections for Garvin County include school bond issues for Lindsay and Maysville school districts, a Lindsay City Council position, and the Garvin County District 1 County Commissioner race.
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 to request an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 7. Voters can submit requests 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, 201 W. Grant, Room 8, Pauls Valley.
Dean 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,” Dean 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. 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.
Dean is also encouraging voters to verify their voting information using the State Election Board’s online voter portal ahead of September’s special elections.
“If it’s been a while since you voted or you’ve recently moved or changed your name, now is the time to make sure your registration information is up-to-date. We want everyone to have a positive experience at the polls,” Dean said.
Dean said voters who have moved to another county or changed their name will need to submit a new voter registration application. Applications are available at the County Election Board or online at oklahoma.gov/elections. Most other changes such as mailing address or party affiliation can be made through the online portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp.
Changes must be submitted no later than 25 days before an election. Changes submitted after the deadline will be processed immediately following the election. Applicants whose registration forms are accepted will be mailed a new voter identification card. Applicants whose registration forms are rejected will be notified in writing.
Dean said voters who encounter an issue with their registration information on Election Day can always cast a provisional ballot with a signed affidavit. Provisional ballots must be verified and counted before election results are certified.
The Garvin County Election Board is open 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Questions can be directed to the County Election Board at 405-238-3303 or garvincounty@elections.ok.gov.