VOTING IN CD1

Voter Information Requirements

The proof of identity 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.

Photo Identification

A document used for proof of identity must have been issued by the U. S. government, the State of Oklahoma, or a federally recognized tribal government. The law requires a document used for proof of identity for voting to contain the following information:

• The name of the person to whom it was issued

• A photograph of the person to whom it was issued

• An expiration date that is after the date of the election, unless the identification is valid indefinitely

The law requires the voter’s name on the proof of identity document to “substantially conform” to the voter’s name in the Precinct Registry. In other words, your name on your proof of identity must match your name in the Precinct Registry.

County Election Board Voter Identification Card

In addition, voters may use the free voter identification card they received by mail from the County Election Board when they registered to vote. The law allows use of the voter identification card even though it does not include a photograph.

Affidavit with Provisional Ballot

If you do not have or if you refuse to show proof of identity, you may vote by provisional ballot and prove your identity by signing a sworn affidavit. It will take time to do the paperwork, but all County Election Boards say your vote will be counted if the name on the affidavit that accompanies the provisional ballot matches the name on the voter rolls and your provisional ballot is cast in the precinct where you are registered to vote. Be sure the name you put on the affidavit matches the name you used to register to vote.

Election Day Voting

Polls open at 7 a.m. on Election Day and remain open until 7 p.m. If you are in line by 7 p.m. you can vote. You can vote in person at your polling place in the precinct in which you live.

There are three ways to find your precinct:

• Look at your Voter Identification Card for the name and address of the polling place

• Go to Vote411.org

• Use the Oklahoma Election Board’s Precinct Locater

In-person absentee voting will be allowed for most elections.

Disabled Voter Assistance

Oklahoma voters who have visual or physical disabilities may be able to vote independently and privately with new technology available for use in federal elections. Oklahoma uses a vote-by-telephone system that allows voters with disabilities to cast their ballots independently at their regular precinct polling places using a regular telephone. Voters listen to instructions and a recorded ballot and make selections using the telephone keypad. After the voter has made selections for all races and questions on the ballot, the system produces a marked paper ballot, scans it, and reads it back to the voter over the phone. The voter can make changes if needed before finally casting the ballot.

The marked paper ballot is produced at a single secure location that is controlled by authorized election officials. The paper ballots are kept secure. After the polls are closed, the ballots are transmitted to the appropriate county election board, where they are counted and included in the final election results for the county.

For a demonstration of the telephone voting system, click here.  

Some voters choose to vote with the assistance of another person. The Precinct Officials at your polling place are trained to offer assistance to voters who request it. Assistance is available at all elections for:

• voters who have physical disabilities and are unable to mark their own ballots

• voters who have visual impairment

• voters who have physical disabilities or infirmities and are unable to enter the polling place

• voters who cannot read

CHOOSING YOUR ASSISTANT

If you need assistance to vote, you may choose anyone you want to help you, as long as the person is not your employer or an agent of your employer or an agent of your union. You may be assisted by a relative, a friend, or by one of the Precinct Officials at your polling place.

POLLING PLACE ACCESSIBILITY

Oklahoma election officials are working to locate all polling places in buildings that are accessible to voters with disabilities.

Some voters with physical disabilities still may be unable to enter their polling places, however. These voters may be assisted by two Precinct Officials outside the polling place. This procedure is called “curbside voting.” Call your local County Election Board for more information.

Absentee Voting

There are two options for you to obtain the Absentee Ballot Application:

• Complete and submit on-line

• Download a copy to your computer and print it out and mail it in.

For more information about the absentee voting process and for locations for early voting visit Oklahoma Election Board - Absentee Ballot Information

Time Off to Vote

Employees who begin their work less than three hours after the polls open (7 AM) and finish less than three hours before the polls close (7 PM) are entitled to two hours leave to vote. You must give notice the day before the election and must provide proof of voting to not have your pay reduced. The employer can set the time the employee can leave to vote