February deadline quickly approaching for primary election absentee ballots

Voters in McClain County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the March 5 Presidential Preferential Primary election should apply now.

That’s the word from McClain County Election Board Secretary Karen Haley.

Absentee ballots are available to all registered voters, provided they are eligible to vote in the election requested. No excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot.

The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. February 19. 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 election board office located at 121 N Second Avenue in Purcell.

Haley reminds voters to allow time for an absentee ballot to be received, completed and returned by mail to the election board.

“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 on time in order to be counted,” Haley 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 the signature on their absentee ballot affidavit witnessed by two people.

Military personnel and residents living overseas, along with their spouses and dependents are also eligible for certain allowances. Military personnel should contact the Voting Services Officer in their unit for an absentee ballot application.

Residents living overseas may obtain absentee ballot applications from any United States military installation or United States Embassy or Consulate. Military personnel and overseas citizens who are already registered voters in Oklahoma may apply for absentee ballots using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp.

Those who need to complete a new voter registration application should apply through the federal voting assistance program at FVAP.gov.

All completed absentee ballots must be in the hands of the county election board no later than 7 p.m. on election day.

The McClain County Election Board is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, please contact the election board at 405.527.3121 or  mcclaincounty@elections.ok.gov.