Early voting for primary elections begin June 13

Early voting begins Thursday June 13 for voters in Stephens County. Voters who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day, have the option of voting early at their County Election Board.

Stephens County Election Board Secretary Shawnda Seely, said early voting is open to all voters. “You do not need to provide an excuse to vote early. Oklahoma allows early voting for all elections conducted by the County Election Board or State Election Board—from school board and municipal elections to state and federal elections. This is a great option for those who will be out of town on Election Day or who want to avoid long lines,” Seely said.

Early voting is available Thursday, June 13 and Friday, June 14 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, June 15 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Stephens County Election Board, 1075 West Elm Ave., which is located one block south of the courthouse. Seely reminds voters that early voting is not available at polling locations.

Some voters may need assistance to vote because they are blind or visually disabled, physically disabled or infirm, or illiterate.  Such individuals may request to have an assistant or vote privately and independently using the ATI device attached to the voting device. Those who require assistance should talk to their precinct official or contact the County Election Board directly for instructions.

With the June 18 Primary Election approaching, County Election Board officials are reminding voters of Election Day laws.

PERSONS ALLOWED INSIDE ELECTION ENCLOSURE


It is a crime for any person other than voters and election officials to remain within 50 feet of a ballot box while an election is in place. Additionally, it is unlawful for any person other than election officials and voters to be inside the election enclosure where voters are checked in, issued ballots, and vote. This law is not intended to include minor children who accompany voters to their voting location.

A news reporter or photographer may, while covering the election being conducted, be allowed inside the election enclosure for no more than five minutes. The reporter or photographer shall not interfere with voters or election officials and shall neither observe any individual voter while the voter marks a ballot, nor photograph any voter who is marking a ballot.

ILLEGAL VOTING

It is a crime to vote more than once at any election, or vote in a precinct after having transferred your voter registration to a new precinct, or vote knowing that you are not eligible. It is also unlawful to vote and submit an absentee ballot issued to another person.

ELECTIONEERING

Electioneering is advocating for or against a candidate or issue that is on the ballot. It is a crime to electioneer within 300 feet of an entrance to a polling place or voter waiting outside in line to enter a polling place while an election is in progress.

Electioneering can be verbal or it can include displaying items such as signs, pamphlets, t-shirts, buttons or hats. If voters are unsure whether or not their clothing or accessories would constitute an election crime, it is recommended that those items be left at home.

PRINTED MATERIAL

No printed material other than that provided by the election board shall be publicly placed or exposed within 300 feet of an entrance to a polling place or a voter waiting outside in line to enter a polling place while an election is in progress. Voters may, however, bring personal notes to assist them with their election choices while they are marking their ballot. Personal notes must remain concealed at all other times while inside the election enclosure.

PHOTOGRAPHS AND DISCLOSURE OF VOTE


A voter may take a digital image or photograph of their marked ballot while inside the election enclosure. However, it is unlawful for voters to post the image or photograph on social media or otherwise distribute or disclose how they voted until they have left the election enclosure.

ELECTION INTERFERENCE

It is a misdemeanor to interfere with the orderly and lawful conduct of an election.

No one, including a lawfully appointed watcher or exit pollster may interfere with a registered voter who is attempting to vote, or may attempt to influence the vote of a person by means of force or intimidation. This includes activity both before and during an election.

POLLSTERS

An “exit pollster” is a person who receives an official commission from the County Election Board Secretary to conduct “polls” or interviews of voters leaving the polling place. No pollster shall be permitted within 50 feet of any ballot box while an election is in progress and shall be limited to written polling materials.

Any person conducting an exit poll within 300 feet of an entrance to a polling place or a person outside waiting in line to vote at a polling place shall display identification provided by the Secretary of the County Election Board. Voters are not required to participate in exit polls.

INTOXICATION


It is unlawful to take intoxicating liquors of any kind or quantity to within one-half mile of any polling place on an Election Day. Additionally, no person shall attend an election or be within 300 feet of a polling place in an intoxicated condition on an Election Day.

REPORTING POTENTIAL CRIMES

Voters who believe an election crime is being committed, should contact their county election board or local law enforcement while the act is in progress or as soon as possible. Be prepared to provide as much information and documentation as possible.

To report a potential violation of election law, contact the Stephens County Election Board at 580-255-8782 or StephensCounty@elections.ok.gov.

Sample ballots now available

Sample ballots are now available for the June Primary Election. Voters can download a sample ballot using the State Election Board OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp or pick up a copy at the Stephens County Election Board during normal business hours.

Seely, reminds voters that sample ballots are specific to each person. “If the OK Voter Portal indicates that you have no sample ballots available, it means you are not eligible to vote in an upcoming election. We recommend checking the OK Voter Portal to make sure you have an election before heading to the polls.”

Seely said sample ballots will also be posted outside every precinct polling place on Election Day, so voters can review them before casting their votes.

The Stephens County Election Board 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.