Deadline nearing for mail-in absentee voting request

If you plan to mail in your absentee ballot vote, you must make application by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29.

Although the County Election Board can accept applications for absentee ballots until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, voters who want to vote by absentee ballot can apply early and avoid the last-minute rush. 

Absentee ballot application forms are available at the County Election Board office located at 4201 N. Lincoln Boulevard, Oklahoma City.  A letter may be mailed or faxed requesting a ballot, or a form letter may be downloaded from the Oklahoma County Election Board.

After the request has been made, there will be two mail transactions needed to vote. The County Election Board must mail the ballots to the voter, and the voter must return the voted ballots by mail. 

Ballots must be in the hands of the County Election Board by 7 p.m. on election day in order to be counted. Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he or she is eligible to vote.  However, a voter must be registered and reside at an address within the geographical boundaries of the district to be eligible to vote. 

It is not necessary to give a reason or for absentee voting. 

Although anyone can vote absentee without giving a reason, the law still provides several excuses and it may be to the advantage of some voters to use one of them. 

By stating one of the following reasons on their application, these voters can activate some special conditions that make it easier for them to use absentee ballots. 

The reasons are:

• Voters who are physically incapacitated and voters who care for physically incapacitated persons who cannot be left unattended may vote absentee.  They may apply only by mail, by fax, or by telegraph.
• Voters who are confined to nursing homes in the county may vote absentee.  An Absentee Voting Board actually goes to the nursing home a few days before the election, sets up a small polling place and allows these persons to vote under circumstances similar to those at a regular precinct polling place. They may apply only by mail or by fax.
• Military personnel and residents of the county living overseas and the spouses and dependents of each group are eligible to vote absentee without being registered.  These voters may apply only by mail or by fax.  Military personnel should contact the Voting Service Officers in their units for application forms and additional information.
• Residents of Oklahoma living overseas can obtain the same materials from any United States military installation and from United States Embassies and Consulates.  Military personnel and overseas citizens also can download and print an application form from the Internet at www.fvap.gov.     

Persons wishing to fax their absentee ballot request should fax to 405-713-7191.  For questions or concerns regarding absentee voting in Oklahoma County, contact the Oklahoma County Absentee Department at 405-713-1515  between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.

In-person absentee voting will also be available at the Oklahoma County Election Board.  For additional information regarding early in-person absentee voting, please contact the Oklahoma County Election Board at 405-713-1515 .