Okmulgee County Election Board Secretary Ashley Carnes reminds voters that the deadline to change political party affiliation is March 31.

Oklahomans wishing to change their party affiliation may do so online through the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma. gov/elections/ovp or by submitting a new Voter Registration Application.

According to Carnes, party affiliation changes made between April 1 and Aug. 31 of an even-numbered year will be accepted, but, by law, cannot be processed at the time they are received.

“If we receive your request after March 31, we are required by law to hold that request and process it in September,” Carnes said.

To vote in a party’s primary election, a voter must be registered with that political party. Oklahoma recognizes three political parties: Democratic, Republican and Libertarian.

Oklahoma is a closed primary state, mean- ing voters must be registered members of a party to be eligible to participate in that party’s primary election. Independents may only vote in a party’s primary if that party officially opens its primary to Independent voters.

No political party filed notice to allow Independents to vote in primaries or runoff primaries during the 2026-27 election years. Therefore, all primaries for 2026 and 2027 will remain closed.

All registered voters, regardless of party affiliation, may vote for any candidate in a General Election (November).

Voter Registration Applications are available at oklahoma.gov/elections or at the Okmulgee County Election Board, located in the Okmulgee County Courthouse, 314 W. 7th Street, Room 102 in Okmulgee. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, contact the Okmulgee County Election Board at 918-756-2365 or by email at OkmulgeeCounty@ elections. ok.gov.