Local April election absentee deadline soon

Mar. 14—The local Empire School Board election is set to bring voters to the polls April 2.

However, those needing absentee ballots don't have much longer to use this service.

County Election Board Secretary Shawnda Seely said the deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. on March 18.

"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 correctly in order to be counted," Seely said. "Voters exempt from having an absentee ballot affidavit notarized include those who are physically incapacitated and those who care for physically incapacitated individuals that cannot be left alone. Voters who request a 'physically incapacitated' ballot must have their absentee ballot affidavit witnessed by two people."

Voters can submit a request using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp. Request forms are also available at oklahoma.gov/elections and at the County Election Board office located at 1075 W. Elm Ave., Duncan.

Military personnel should contact Voting Service Officers in their units for absentee application forms. Residents living overseas may obtain absentee voting applications from any United States military installation or United States Embassy or Consulate.

All completed absentee ballots must be in the hands of the County Election Board no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.

The Stephens County Election Board is located at 1075 W. Elm Ave., Duncan and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, contact the Election Board at 580-255-8782 or StephensCounty@elections.ok.gov.