A couple of important voter deadlines are fast approaching, according to statements from Creek County Election Board Secretary Vicki Martin.
The closest of these is coming this Friday, February 9th, which is the last day to apply for voter registration to be able to be eligible to vote in the March 5th Presidential Primary.
Martin says that you have to be 18 to vote, but persons who are 17 1/2 can apply for voter registration so long as they are United States Citizens and residents of Oklahoma.
Applications must be received by the County Election Board or postmarked no later than midnight on February 9th. Applications turned in after that point will be accepted but not processed until after the March 5th election. Applications can also be turned in to any motor vehicle agency that is also an official voter registration agency by that same submission deadline of February 9th.
Registered voters who have moved to Creek County from a different county or state will need to complete a new Voter Registration form to be eligible for elections in Creek County. You can download an application or make changes to your address information at oklahoma.gov/elections
Absentee ballot deadline approaching
The other coming deadline is for requesting an absentee ballot, and though there’s a bit more time, Martin says that voters shouldn’t wait to get them. “Voters in Creek County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the (Presidential Primary) should apply now,” she said.
The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is Monday, February 19th at 5pm.
Martin 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 ballot affidavits 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 on time in order to be counted,” Martin said.
Some voters qualify to be exempt from having their absentee ballots notarized. These would be those who are physically incapacitated and those who care for them when they cannot be left alone. Someone who requests that type of ballot must have the signature on their absentee ballot affidavit witnessed by two other people.
Certain allowances are also available for military personnel and residents living overseas, along with their spouses and dependents. Military personnel should contact the Voting Services Officer in their unit for an Absentee Ballot Application. Residents living overseas may obtain Absentee Ballot 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 at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp. 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.
The Creek County Election Board is located at 230 E. Hobson Ave in Sapulpa and is open from 8:00am to 5:00pm on Monday through Friday. For questions, please contact the Election Board at 918-224-3529 or creekcounty@elections.ok.gov
