EARLY VOTING BEGINS APRIL 2 In OKMULGEE

OKMULGEE, Okla. — Early voting will begin Thursday, April 2nd for voters in Okmulgee County to cast their vote on school board seats or school bond issues for six school districts. Voters who may be unable to vote at their polling place on April 7th, Election Day, have the option to cast their ballot early at the Okmulgee County Election Board.

Okmulgee County Election Board Secretary Ashley Carnes said early voting is available to all registered voters and does not require an excuse. Early voting is not available at regular polling locations.

“You do not need to provide an excuse to vote early,” Carnes said. “Oklahoma allows early voting for all elections conducted by the County Election Board or State Election Board—from school board and municipal elections to state and federal elections. This is a great option for those who will be out of town on Election Day or who want to avoid long lines.”

Early voting will be available:

Early voting will take place at the Okmulgee County Election Board office, Room 102, located in the Okmulgee County Courthouse, 314 W. 7th Street in Okmulgee, and will have extended hours for early voting 8 am – 6 pm.

Note: Friday, April 3rd, is a holiday and courthouse offices will be closed. The only office open will be the election board office for early voting and candidate filing.

Some voters may need assistance to vote because they are blind or visually impaired, physically disabled or infirm, or illiterate. These individuals may request assistance from a person of their choosing or vote privately and independently using the accessible ATI device attached to the voting unit. Voters who require assistance are encouraged to speak with their precinct official or contact the County Election Board for instructions.

Voters are reminded to keep the integrity of the election system in mind when going to the polls next week.

While ballot “selfies” or taking photographs of a marked ballot are legal, voters may not share or distribute the image through social media or by any other means while inside the election enclosure. Voters must wait until they leave their polling place before posting or sharing the picture with anyone. Improper use of the photo could result in a violation of the law. Voters may not use the image to coerce, influence, or intimidate another voter.

Voters should be aware that violating the law has consequences. While some offenses may seem minor, unlawful activity on Election Day constitutes a serious crime and could result in a misdemeanor or, in some cases, a felony conviction. We want all voters to be aware of their actions and to be respectful of others’ rights. It is illegal to disclose how you voted with anyone while inside the election enclosure. In addition, you may not remove a ballot from the polling place.

Keep in mind that electioneering is prohibited within 300 feet of any ballot box while an election is in progress. This includes wearing or bringing visible campaign related paraphernalia into the election enclosure. Carnes notes that no one except election officials and voters waiting to vote are allowed within 50 feet of any ballot box on Election Day. Certain exceptions are made for the press, media, and those assisting disabled voters.

Voters are reminded that consuming alcohol of any kind or quantity within one-half mile of a polling place on Election Day is also prohibited.

Voters who believe an election law has been violated should contact the precinct official or the Secretary of Okmulgee County Election Board at 918-756-2365 immediately, while the alleged violation is in progress.

Election Day, Tuesday, April 7th, eleven (11) polling places in Okmulgee County will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the multi-school district elections: Henryetta, Wilson, Liberty, Graham-Dustin, Tulsa Tech Center, and Central Tech Center

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

You can also find the Okmulgee County Election Board on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/OkmulgeeCountyElectionBoard