Election board offers tips and reminders for first elections in new legislative districts
Published: June 22nd, 2012
STATE ELECTION BOARD OFFERS TIPS & REMINDERS FOR VOTERS
With Oklahoma’s June 26 Primary Election just days away, the State Election Board offers these tips and reminders to voters before they head to the polls.
The Oklahoma Primary Election is Tuesday, June 26, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Be prepared: Study the candidates and issues before going to the polls. Get a sample ballot at your County Election Board.
Closed primary: Oklahoma has closed primaries. Only registered Republicans may vote in the Republican Primary and only registered Democrats may vote in the Democratic Primary. Registered Independents cannot vote in the party Primaries, but can vote in non-partisan local elections on the ballot at their precinct. Find out what (if anything) is on the ballot in your precinct by contacting your County Election Board.
Bring your identification: Oklahoma law requires every voter who votes in person at the precinct polling place or during early voting at the County Election Board to show proof of identity before receiving a ballot. There are three ways for voters to prove their identity under the law:
1. Show a valid, government-issued photo identification;
2. Show the free voter identification card issued to every voter by their County Election Board; or
3. Sign an affidavit and vote a provisional ballot. (If the information on your affidavit matches your voter registration records, your ballot will be counted after Election Day.)
For more information about Oklahoma’s proof of identity law visit this website.
Know your polling place
Thousands of voters were assigned to new polling places in 2011 following legislative and congressional redistricting. You can find your polling place location (and print a map!) using the Polling Place Locator on the State Election Board’s website: Or, call your County Election Board.
Option to vote early: Consider voting early at your County Election Board office.
• Friday, June 22 (8 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
• Saturday, June 23 (8 a.m. – 1 p.m.)
• Monday, June 25 (8 a.m. – 6 p.m. )
Election day voting: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day. Lines at the polls are longest before work, during the lunch hour, and after work. Voters can save time by voting during “off-peak” hours – usually from 9 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Bring notes: Voting will go faster if you make notes about how you plan to vote – and take those notes with you to the polls. (Remember: you can only use these notes yourself. It is against the law to share your notes with other voters.)
Leave enough time: Give yourself plenty of time to vote on Election Day, and plan for long lines if voter turnout is heavy – especially in heavily populated areas and during peak voting hours before work, during the lunch hour, and after work.
Enjoy yourself: Voting is both a right and a civic responsibility. Take joy in knowing that, by voting, you are making your voice heard in our representative Republic.
For more information about elections in Oklahoma, visit the State Election Board website.