Deadline to change party affiliation approaches

Early voting begins Thursday, March 28, for voters in Okmulgee County. Voters who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day April 2, have the option of voting early at their County Election Board.

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.

Early voting is available at the Okmulgee County Courthouse, 314 W. 7th Street, Room 102, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 28, and Friday, March 29 (Good Friday).

Early voting is not available at polling locations.

Eligible voters will vote on the following:

• Dewar Public Schools Proposition • Checotah Public Schools Board of Education Office 4

• Liberty Public Schools Proposition • Indian Capital Technology Center Board of Education Of- fice 4 Some voters may need assistance to vote because they are blind or visually disabled, physically disabled or infirmed 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.

For questions, please contact the Election Board at 918-756-2365 or OkmulgeeCounty@elections.ok.gov.

Visit the State Election Board website at oklahoma.gov/elections to view sample ballots, find polling locations and update voter registration.

– Oklahomans who want to change their party affiliation must submit their change no later than March 31, Okmulgee County Election Board Secretary Ashley Carnes said this week. Voters may change their party affiliation online using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma. gov/elections/ ovp or by completing a new Voter Registration Application.

Carnes reminds voters that no party changes are allowed from April 1 through Aug. 31 during an even-numbered year.

“If we receive your request after March 31, we are required by law to hold that request and process it in September,” Carnes said.

Oklahoma has three recognized parties: Democratic, Republican and Libertarian.

In Oklahoma, voters must be a registered voter of a party in order to vote in that party’s primary election. Independents are permitted to participate in a primary election only if a party officially requests its elections be opened to Independent voters. Currently, only the Democratic Party allows Independents to vote in its primary elections.

All registered voters, regardless of political affiliation, can vote for any candidate during the November General Election.

Voter Registration Applications can be downloaded from the State Election Board website at oklahoma.gov/elections. Applications are also available at the Okmulgee County Election Board located at 314 W 7th Street, Room 102, Okmulgee. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For questions, contact the County Election Board at 918-756-2365 or OkmulgeeCounty@elections.ok.gov.

— Candidate Filing Period

The candidates filing period for state and county offices is April 3-5.

Filing packets are available at the State Election Board website, https://oklahoma. gov/ele…/candidates/ candidate-filing.html, and are also available in the County Election Board office. Please read the information in the packet to verify that you meet the requirements to run for office.

The filing period begins Wednesday, April 3, at 8 a.m. and ends Friday, April 5, at 5 p.m.

County Offices on the ballot for 2024 include the following:

• County Commissioner, District 2

• County Clerk

• County Court Clerk

• County Sheriff For more information, call the Okmulgee County Election Board at 918-756-2365.