Voters planning to cast a ballot by mail in February elections are reminded that the deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, according to the Okmulgee County Election Board.
State law sets the absentee ballot request deadline at 5 p.m. on the third Monday (15 days) prior to an election. Requests must be submitted by that time to ensure a ballot is mailed to eligible voters.
According to Okmulgee County Election Board Secretary Ashely Carnes, three entities will have elections in February: the City of Okmulgee City Council Municipal Election and Special School Bond Elections for Henryetta Public Schools and Twin Hills Public Schools.
“Mailed absentee ballots must be received by the County Election Board no later than 7 p.m. on election night,” Carnes said, emphasizing that voters should mail ballots early to ensure timely delivery.
— Who Is Eligible to Vote
Eligibility to vote depends on a voter’s registered address:
• School Bond Elections: Only registered voters whose address is within the Henryetta Public School District or Twin Hills Public School District may vote in the respective Special School Bond Elections. Carnes noted that having a child enrolled in a district does not automatically make a person eligible to vote in that school election.
• Municipal Election: Only registered voters whose address is within the city limits of Okmulgee may vote in the City Council Municipal Election. Owning a business inside the city limits does not automatically qualify a voter.
— Check your ballot before heading to the polls Voters are encouraged to confirm eligibility, find their polling place, and review sample ballots through the OK Voter Portal or the Oklahoma State Election Board website. Sample ballots are also available at the County Election Board office.
If the OK Voter Portal shows no sample ballots available, it means the voter is not eligible to vote in an upcoming election. “We recommend checking the OK Voter Portal to confirm you are eligible before heading to the polls,” she said.
— Voter Registration & Address Updates
Voters who have moved to Okmulgee County from another county or state must complete a new Voter Registration Application to be eligible to vote locally. Those who have moved within Okmulgee County should update their address either online through the OK Voter Portal or by completing a Voter Registration Application.
Applications can be downloaded from the State Election Board website or completed in person at the County Election Board. Forms are also available upon request at most post offices, tag agencies and public libraries.
The Okmulgee County Election Board office is located in the Okmulgee County Courthouse, 314 W. 7th Street, Room 102 in Okmulgee, and is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, voters may call 918756-2365 or email Okmulgee-County@elections.ok.gov.
