By Caleb Wortz
Creek County primary elections will begin on June 18 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. across Oklahoma, according to information from the county election board.
Early voting will occur on Thursday, June 13 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on June 15, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Election Board Office at 230 E. Hobson Ave. You can find early voting locations and the election list on the State Election Board website, as well as use the OK Voter Portal to find your polling place and view a sample ballot.
The election board also notes that Oklahoma has modified, closed primaries, with participation in a party’s primary being limited to voters registered to that party. The officially recognized parties are Republican, Democrat and Libertarian.
Additionally, the Democratic Party opened this year’s primary to independents, allowing registered independents to vote in their primary. To do so voters must request a Democratic Primary ballot regardless of voting via absentee ballot or voting in person.
Primary elections are held if more than one candidate from the same recognized party files for a singular office. Candidates who receive enough votes in the primary will move on to the general election. If more than two candidates file for a race and no participant has a majority of votes they will move on to a runoff primary election.
If an office has candidates file from only one party, that elected official will be chosen at the primary or runoff election and a general election will not occur.
To learn more about the primary election process or your voting options, click the links provided or visit the State Election Board website.
