The filing period ends today at 5 p.m. for residents interested in serving on county school board posts. Prospective candidates must complete and submit a Declaration of Candidacy, along with a Voter Registration Verification Form, both of which are available online and in person. Filing packets may be downloaded from the Oklahoma State Election Board website, and verification forms can be obtained through the County Election Board or the OK Voter Portal. All voter information listed must match exactly between both documents to be accepted.

Contests of Candidacy – formal challenges from opposing candidates – must be filed no later than Friday, Dec. 5, at 5 p.m. Contests against unopposed candidates may also be filed by contacting the Election Board directly.

If more than two candidates file for the same school board seat, a Nonpartisan Primary Election will take place Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Any candidate receiving more than 50% of the votes will be declared elected.

If no one secures a majority, the top two vote-getters will advance to the Board of Education General Election, scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

If only two candidates file for a seat, both names will bypass the primary and appear directly on the April General Election ballot.

In addition to school board filings, the Okmulgee County Election Board will also accept candidate filings for City of Okmulgee Councilmember – Ward 1 and Ward 2 during the same Dec. 1-3 period. Eligible residents of each ward may submit a Declaration of Candidacy between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. those days, following the same filing requirements outlined above. These city offices will also follow the Feb. 10 primary and April 7 general election format.

— Where to File & Who to Contact

Filings must be submitted in person to: Okmulgee County Election Board 314 W. 7th Street, Room 102 Okmulgee, OK 74447 Regular office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, though filing period hours extend to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For additional information, contact the Election Board at 918-756-2365 or email OkmulgeeCounty@ elections.ok.gov. — Beggs Public Schools

Board Member – Office No. 1 • Ariele Allen, 35, Beggs — City of Okmulgee

Councilmember – Ward 1

• William T. Bryant, 79, Okmulgee Councilmember – Ward 2

• Steven Randall Baldridge, 63, Okmulgee — Green Country Technology Center Board Member – Office No. 4 • David Dykes, Jr., 64, Schulter — Henryetta Public Schools Board Member – Office No. 1 • David Molet, 63, Henryetta

• Ed Mordecai, 47, Henryetta — Preston Public Schools Board Member – Office No. 1 • Kyamron Jefferson, 45, Preston — Schulter Public Schools Board Member – Office No. 1 • Judy Varner, 61, Henryetta — Twin Hills Public Schools Board Member – Office No. 1 • Chuck Lewis, 50, Okmulgee — Wilson Public Schools Board Member – Office No. 1 • Travis K Moore, 51, Henryetta