Early voting begins Thursday for June 16th election

Early Voting Begins Thursday for June 16 Election

(Limited-Edition “I Voted” Sticker Available) 

(June 8th, Oklahoma City) – In-person absentee voting (also known as “early voting”) for the June 16 Election begins Thursday across the state. Early voting locations will be open Thursday, June 11 and Friday, June 12 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Saturday, June 13 (8 a.m. – 2 p.m.).

State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax announced that, “In honor of America’s 250th birthday, limited-edition ‘I Voted’ stickers will be available at early voting locations and polling place locations across the state, while supplies last.” There are two different designs. A preview of the designs can be found on the State Election Board website.

Election Board encourages absentee voters to mail ballots ASAP

Voters Encouraged to Mail Absentee Ballots as Soon as Possible

(Oklahoma City, October 31st) – The Secretary of the State Election Board is encouraging voters who have requested absentee ballots to mail those ballots back as soon as possible to ensure they are received by their County Election Board before the deadline. “While our county election boards work closely with local post offices to ensure that every mail ballot makes it into the hands of election officials by 7 p.m. on Election Day, we encourage voters to follow United States postal guidelines and mail ballots at least seven days prior to the election.” said Secretary Paul Ziriax. “Voters should consider the amount of time needed to vote their ballot, as well as the distance the ballot has to travel,” he added.

Early Voting begins Thursday for runoff election

Early Voting Begins Thursday for Runoff Primary

(Oklahoma City, August 16th) – Early voting for the August 23 Runoff Primary begins Thursday for voters in all seventy-seven (77) counties. Early voting is available Thursday, August 18 and Friday, August 19 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Early voting will also be available Saturday, August 20, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Early voting for primary election begins today

Early Voting for Primary Election Begins [Today]

(Oklahoma City, June 21st) – Early voting for the June 28 Primary Election begins Thursday at 8 a.m. Republican and Democratic primaries will take place, along with several nonpartisan elections in many counties.

Two bills to make absentee ballots and voter registration more secure signed into law

Rep. Eric Roberts' Election Bills Become Law

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 25, 2022) – Two bills by Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City, to make absentee ballot requests more secure and facilitate earlier identification of voters who have moved or died were signed into law on Friday.

State Rep. Eric Roberts files trio of voter security measures

Rep. Eric Roberts Files Trio of Voting Bills

OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Eric Roberts, R-Oklahoma City, has filed three bills designed to make absentee ballot requests more secure and to facilitate earlier identification of voters who have moved or are now deceased. 

"Oklahomans want an election process that is secure, reliable and efficient," Roberts said. "I am proud to spearhead this legislation in the House."

House Bill 3364 requires online absentee ballot requests include identification in addition to a voter's name and birth date. Identification may include their driver's license number, state identification number or the last four of their Social Security number. Under the bill, voters who registered prior to the requirement for additional identification information may submit a paper absentee ballot request or reregister to vote with the additional identification.

Roberts also filed House Bill 3365 and House Bill 3366 to facilitate earlier identification of voters who have moved or are now deceased.

GOP State Senator files bill to extend early in-person voting

Pugh files legislation to extend early in-person voting

OKLAHOMA CITY – While more Oklahomans voted in November than in the 2016 presidential election, the state still ranks last for voter turnout as a share of the total voting-eligible population according to the U.S. Elections Project. Sen. Adam Pugh, R-Edmond, wants to improve voter participation and has filed Senate Bill 440 to extend in-person early voting from three days to one week.
           
“Oklahoma has the shortest in-person early voting period in the nation. Three days is an extremely limited amount of time for citizens to cast their early votes, especially when you consider people’s busy schedules and that they have to drive to their county election board, which can be a significant distance for many Oklahomans,” Pugh said. “Allowing one week to cast early in-person ballots will help improve voter participation and turnout to ensure more Oklahomans have their voices heard and are able to participate in our greatest freedom as Americans.”
           
Under SB 440, voters could cast an early in-person ballot the entire week, Monday through Saturday, preceding any election at their county election board. Currently, this type of early in-person voting is only available the Thursday through Saturday before an election.
           
According to the nonpartisan National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), early voting periods in the U.S. range in length from four days to 45 days, with the average length being 19 days.  

Legislators: Oklahoma’s election demonstrates accurate and timely results

Oklahoma’s Election Demonstrates Accurate and Timely Results

OKLAHOMA CITY – Members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives are encouraging their colleagues from other states to model their systems after Oklahoma election laws.

“For years Oklahoma's election system has provided Oklahoma voters with rapid and undisputed results.

Through a mix of common sense quality controls, including numbered ballot pads, election night reporting, a mix of scanning technology and traditional, verifiable paper ballots, voter identification and precinct-level officials who are appointed by both of the major political parties, Oklahoma leads the nation in election policy.

We appreciated the federal court earlier this year upholding Oklahoma’s strong election laws, particularly the reasonable absentee ballot requirements the Legislature enacted through SB 210 last session. By all accounts, the Legislature's actions proved successful and Oklahoma concluded election night with yet another fair, timely outcome that has not been disputed: This included the Congressional District 5 race, which was decided by less than 13,000 votes.

We are witnessing firsthand how weak election policies of other states impact the entire nation, including Oklahoma. As demonstrated by Oklahoma, there is no reason we should have to wait days for the outcome of any election. We call on the other states to immediately pass meaningful and common sense reforms to their election processes.

The integrity of the voting process is vital to our republic. There should be no doubt as to the results if we can secure the process at the outset. Mail-in ballots that do not require proof of identity is a recipe for fraud. We have gone through this process three times at the national level in recent years with the 2000, 2016 and now 2020 elections.

As members of the Oklahoma Legislature, we ask other state legislatures across America to demand reform and pass legislation similar to SB 210 on absentee ballot integrity and SB 1779 outlawing absentee ballot harvesting in our state.”

Legislators issuing the statement include:

• Rep. Brad Boles, R-Marlow
• Rep. Ty Burns, R-Morrison
• Rep. Sherrie Conley, R-Newcastle
• Rep. Denise Crosswhite Hader, R-Piedmont
• Rep. Sheila Dills, R-Tulsa
• Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee
• Rep. Tom Gann, R-Inola
• Rep. Brian Hill, R-Mustang
• Rep. Justin Humphrey , R-Lane
• Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada
• Rep.-elect Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus
• Rep. Dell Kerbs, R-Shawnee
• Rep. Mark Lawson, R-Sapulpa
• Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore
• Rep. Ken Luttrell, R-Ponca City
• Rep. Robert Manger, R-Oklahoma City
• Rep. T.J. Marti, R-Broken Arrow
• Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka
• Rep. Kevin McDugle, R-Broken Arrow
• Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee
• Rep. Terry O’Donnell, R-Catoosa
• Rep. Jim Olsen, R-Roland
• Rep. Charles Ortega, R-Altus
• Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond
• Rep. Kenton Patzkowsky, R-Balko
• Rep. Cynthia Roe, R-Lindsay
• Rep. David Smith, R-Arepelar
• Rep. Chris Sneed, R-Fort Gibson
• Rep. Marilyn Stark, R-Bethany
• Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon
• Rep. Judd Strom, R-Copan
• Rep. Tammy Townley, R-Ardmore
• Rep. Mark Vancuren, R-Owasso
• Rep. Kevin Wallace, R-Wellston
• Rep. Josh West, R-Grove
• Rep. Kevin West, R-Moore
• Rep.-elect Rick West, R-Heavener
• Rep. Rande Worthen, R-Lawton
• Sen. Michael Bergstrom, R-Adair
• Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant
• Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Tulsa
• Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville
• Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus
• Sen. Chris Kidd, R-Waurika
• Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee
• Sen. Zack Taylor, R-Seminole
• Sen. Darrell Weaver, R-Moore

Oklahoma State Election Board applauds smooth, historic election turnout

Statement about Oklahoma's 2020 General Election from Paul Ziriax, Secretary of the State Election Board

"I am delighted about the enthusiasm and engagement shown by Oklahoma voters in this election. We saw a surge in voter registrations, set a record for mail absentee ballots and in-person absentee "early" votes, and had heavy turnout on Election Day. Oklahoma voters set a record for the most votes ever cast for President in the history of our state. 

Maps: see where the GOP and Dems are overperforming in Oklahoma Early Voting

The Oklahoma State Election Board has been releasing data on the early voting turnout by day, with Saturday set to be the final day for early voting to take place. I took a look at the statistics, and put together these two maps to show what's currently going on.

This first map compares the voter registration leader in each county to the proportion of voters by party who have voted early thus far. A blue county means a higher percentage of Democrats have voted than are registered in that county, and vice-versa for red counties. 

Example A: as of January 2020, Adair County had 47.46% Democratic and 40.26% Republican. As of 5pm Friday, 46.38% of Adair County early voters were Republicans and 41.85% were Democrats. Adair County goes on the map as red due to a higher proportion of Republicans casting early votes than are registered.  

Example B: as of January 2020, Caddo County was 47.52% Democratic and 38.47% Republican. As of 5pm Friday, 53.16% of Adair County early voters were Democrats and 40.36% were Republicans. Adair County goes on the map as blue due to a higher proportion of Democrats casting early votes than are registered. 

Now for the map:

This next map looks at which counties have "flipped" so far in early voting.

Example A: as of January 2020, Johnson County was 51.13% Democratic and 35.95% Republican. As of 5pm Friday, 37.18% of Johnson County early voters were Democrats and 54.4% were Republicans. Atoka County is a registered Democrat-majority county with more Republicans voting early thus far than Democrats.

Example B: as of January 2020, Cleveland County was 47.9% Republican and 33.18% Democratic. As of 5pm Friday, 44.03% of Cleveland County early voters were Democrats and 41.79% were Republicans. Cleveland County is a registered Republican-plurality county with more Democrats voting early thus far than Republicans.

The map:

Deadline to request an Absentee Ballot is TODAY

 

Deadline to Request an Absentee Ballot is TODAY

(Oklahoma City) - The deadline to request an absentee ballot for the November 3 election is 5 p.m. Tuesday, October 27, 2020.

The fastest, easiest way to request an absentee ballot is online using the OK Voter Portal. Voters can also download an Absentee Ballot Request Form from the State Election Board website and fax, email or hand-deliver their request to their County Election Board.

Absentee ballot requests must be received no later than 5 p.m. on October 27. Voters who are incapacitated after 5 p.m. on Tuesday, may request an “emergency incapacitated” absentee ballot with proper documentation. Voters will need to contact their County Election Board for more information.

Absentee ballot requests are processed daily. However, voters should remember to allow plenty of time to vote and return their ballots.

Absentee ballots can be returned using the U.S. postal service or any private delivery service that provides delivery documentation. Ballots returned by mail or private delivery service must be received by the voter’s County Election Board no later than 7 p.m. on election night.

“Standard” absentee ballots may be hand-delivered to the voter’s County Election Board, provided ballots are returned no later than the end of business day, the Monday prior to the Election (November 2). “Physically incapacitated” absentee ballots can only be returned by mail or private delivery service.

Voters with questions should contact their County Election Board for more information.

State Election Board officials caution voters about mailing from “OKVOTE” organization

State Election Board Officials Caution Voters About Mailing From “OKVOTE” Organization

(Oklahoma City) – Officials with the Oklahoma State Election Board cautioned voters about a mailing from a Tulsa-based organization, “OKVOTE,” after state and county election offices received several complaints from voters this week.

The mailing is an unsolicited, pre-filled voter registration application accompanied by a letter that mistakenly advises some recipients that “according to State Election Board records” they are not registered to vote at their current address – even though official Election Board records actually show many of the recipients who have contacted election officials are already properly registered.

“State and county election officials are not affiliated with OKVOTE nor with this mailing,” State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said. “Although we know OKVOTE has good intentions, this mailing has caused confusion by mistakenly telling some registered voters that they are not registered to vote at their address. We encourage voters who received this letter to use the official OK Voter Portal or contact their County Election Board to confirm their voter registration.”

Early Voting Begins for Runoff Primary; Absentee Ballot Return Options Available

Early Voting Begins for Runoff Primary; Absentee Ballot Return Options Available

(Oklahoma City) – Early voting for the August 25 Runoff Primary begins this week for voters in fifty (50) counties. Early voting is available this Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Counties with state or federal runoff elections will also have early voting on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 While some voters in these counties will have a runoff primary election, others may only have a local or county election or no election at all. State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said it is important to make sure you have an election before you head to the polls.

“I always recommend checking the OK Voter Portal before you head to the polls to find your polling place and view a sample ballot. If you have a sample ballot available in the portal, that means you have an election in your precinct. If no ballot is available, it means you do not have an election,” said Ziriax.

Secretary Ziriax also reminds voters that Oklahoma is a closed primary state.

“In order to vote in a party’s primary or runoff primary, you must be a registered voter of that party. The Democratic Party, however, has made an exception for Independent voters for the 2020 and 2021 election years. If you’re an Independent voter you may ask for a Democratic Party primary ballot,” Ziriax said.

The Republican Party and Libertarian Party have chosen to keep their primaries closed.

Voters who have requested an absentee ballot for the August 25 Runoff Primary have several return options. Absentee ballots can be returned by the United States Postal Service or a private mail carrier, provided delivery documentation is provided.

Standard absentee ballots, the most common form of ballot, can be hand-delivered to the county election board provided the ballot is returned no later than the end of business day, the Monday prior to the election. Only the voter may hand-deliver his or her own absentee ballot. Please be prepared to show proof of identity when you drop off your ballot. You will be asked to show the same identification that is required when you vote at the polls.

Absentee ballots returned by mail for the August 25 election must be received by the County Election Board no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Voters can track their absentee ballot using the OK Voter Portal.

Social distancing and COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place during early voting and on Election Day. While masks or face coverings are not required at voting locations, they are strongly recommended. You will find more information about COVID-19 and the 2020 elections on the State Election Board website.


URL Guide:

Early Voting: https://www.ok.gov/elections/Early_Voting.html

OK Voter Portal: https://www.ok.gov/elections/OVP.html

Closed Primary State: https://www.ok.gov/elections/Election_Info/State_Question_info.html

Absentee Ballots: https://www.ok.gov/elections/Voter_Info/Absentee_Voting/index.html

Proof of Identity: https://www.ok.gov/elections/Voter_Info/Proof_of_Identity/index.html

County Election Board: https://www.ok.gov/elections/About_Us/County_Election_Boards/index.html

COVID-19 and the 2020 Elections: https://www.ok.gov/elections/Voter_Info/Covid-19_and_2020_Elections.html

State Election Board Website: https://www.ok.gov/elections/index.html

1889 Institute: A Judicial Attack on Election Integrity

A Judicial Attack on Election Integrity

By Benjamin Lepak

The Oklahoma Supreme Court recently attempted to rewrite Oklahoma’s election laws, behind closed doors, on a compressed timetable, and without public input. All with an election looming in which the new rules would apply.

In May, the Court eliminated the requirement that absentee voters confirm their identity with a notary. Under the ruling, absentee voters would be permitted to vote with little more than a promise they are who they say they are, while in-person voters would still be required to show ID.

The lawsuit was filed by a coalition of progressive organizations called “Let the People Vote,” claiming voters could contract COVID-19 from notaries.

Count me skeptical. The coalition looked an awful lot like the one supporting State Question 802’s Medicaid expansion. They even hired the same law firm. The lead plaintiff in the case, the League of Women Voters, features only two advocacy items on its webpage, “Let the People Vote” and “Yes on State Question 802.”

Oklahoma banks, credit unions to offer free absentee voting services

State Election Board: Oklahoma Financial Institutions to Offer Free Absentee Voting Services

(Oklahoma City) – The Secretary of the Oklahoma State Election Board joined representatives of the Oklahoma Bankers Association, Oklahoma Credit Union Association, and Community Bankers Association of Oklahoma today to announce that financial institutions across the state plan to offer free absentee voting services to all Oklahoma voters.

Participating banks and credit unions will offer one or more of the following services to voters: 

• Free ID copy (lobby and/or drive-thru)
• Free absentee ballot notarization (lobby and/or drive-thru)

Voters can find a list of participating banks and credit unions at elections.ok.gov. Services and hours may vary by location.

“Banks and credit unions are in almost every community in Oklahoma. They’re our neighbors and community partners and they realize the importance of democracy. That’s why we’re excited to work with these financial institutions to ensure that every voter—both customers and non-customers alike—have free and convenient absentee services available to them,” said Paul Ziriax, Secretary of the State Election Board.

OCPA column: Voter ID is a good idea, whether in-person or not

Voter ID is a good idea, whether in-person or not

By Jonathan Small

If it’s a good idea to require ID to thwart in-person voter fraud, doesn’t it make even more sense to require verification when people vote by absentee ballot, where the potential for stolen ballots and abuse is much higher?

For years Oklahoma has required “absentee voter ID” by requiring those casting an absentee ballot to sign an affidavit that must be notarized. But a recent Oklahoma Supreme Court decision found state law did not mandate notarization.

This week, the Oklahoma Legislature voted overwhelmingly to clarify the law and require notarization, but also loosened procedures during the pandemic for those concerned about contracting COVID-19. Under the bill, individuals voting absentee during a state health emergency do not have to get their affidavit notarized. They must only provide a photocopy of a form of ID, which can include their free state election card.

That’s a sensible way to secure elections and address citizens’ health concerns.

Election integrity bill passes State Senate, signed by Governor

Oklahoma Senate sends election integrity bill to Governor’s desk

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Senate overwhelmingly approved a bill Thursday to protect election integrity in the absentee ballot process and now the bill heads to the governor’s desk for consideration. [Update: Governor Stitt has signed the measure]

Senate President Pro Tempore Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, is the author of the bill, which protects the integrity of the absentee ballot process while granting exemptions during the course of the coronavirus health pandemic. The bill passed 38-9.

State House passes bill to protect election integrity

Election Integrity Measure Passes House

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 6th) – State Rep. Chris Kannady, R-Oklahoma City, today secured passage of Senate Bill 210 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives.

Kannady authored an amendment to the bill, which will protect election integrity through the absentee ballot process including during the period of pandemic. The measure passed 74-26.

“Oklahomans have said they want elections secure and free from fraud,” Kannady said. “This legislation provides election integrity and protects public safety and public health during this time when people are still concerned about the spread of COVID-19.”

Neese: striking down absentee notorization will "open the gates to voter fraud"

NEESE: STRIKING DOWN ABSENTEE NOTORIZATION REQUIREMENT WILL “OPEN THE GATES TO VOTER FRAUD”

Oklahoma City, OK -- Terry Neese, Republican candidate for Oklahoma’s 5th Congressional District, released the following statement today after the Oklahoma Supreme Court struck down the notary requirement for absentee ballots:

OKGOP warns of "imminent voter fraud", calls for action to reverse Supreme Court ruling regarding absentee ballots

From OKGOP Chairman David McLain:

Call to Action

Yesterday, May 4, 2020, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled to remove the requirement of providing a copy of an Oklahoma photo ID OR Notary Stamp to verify a voter's authenticity when voting by Absentee Ballot. The ruling states all that is necessary now is just a signature on the ballot, with NO proof that it is your ballot and your vote!

If we think the potential for voter fraud was bad before, this type of ruling guarantees a California style of voting and voter fraud like we have NEVER seen in this state! Imagine all the Absentee Ballots that will be sent in by deceased voters! Imagine the vulnerability of our Oklahomans by any group "helping" our seniors fill out ballots at nursing and convalescent homes.

Read SB1779 by clicking on here.