Doing Your Civic Duty

In a time when digital misinformation is the norm, it can be challenging to get the right facts on political matters – even including where, how and when to vote. 

To verify your polling place and to get unbiased information about candidates and state questions, Oklahoma State Election Board (OSEB) public information officer Misha Mohr says to contact your county election board, or visit websites such as vote411.org, justfacts.org, votesmart.org or ballotpedia.org. Local media outlets and newspapers are also helpful places to find this information, as well as the State Election Board’s OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp.html. This last site is also recommended by Gwen Freeman, secretary of the Tulsa County Election Board.

“You can not only find your polling place and early voting information, but you can view a sample ballot as well as register to vote, request an absentee ballot and a new voter ID card,” she says. “If you don’t have a sample ballot, then more than likely you are not able to vote in that election. But just to be sure, you can always call our election board at 918-596-5780.” 

Remember that voting requires certain identification items – so don’t show up to your polling place empty-handed. 

“Oklahoma’s proof of identity law, or the ‘voter ID’ law, requires every voter who votes in person at the precinct polling place or during early voting to show proof of identity before receiving a ballot,” says Freeman. “You must bring a valid photo ID issued by the State, the federal government or a federally recognized tribal government. These would include a driver’s license, a passport, U.S. military ID or an OK I.D. card. Voters may also use the free voter identification card they received by mail from the County Election Board when they registered to vote – the law does allow for use of the voter identification card even though it does not include a photograph. And don’t forget, to vote in the November general election, you must be registered by October 11.” 

Finding time to vote during a work day is assisted by legislative decree. 

“By law, your employer must give you two hours to vote, either on election day or during early voting,” says Freeman. “There are a few provisions involved, though. I would suggest voters consult the State Election Board website for the details.”

Freeman also encourages early voting.

“That takes place starting October 30 and goes through November 2. Plenty of time to cast a ballot. Or you can vote by absentee. Oklahoma is a no excuse state, meaning you don’t have to state a reason to vote absentee. Once you are a registered voter, you can apply for a mail-in ballot by accessing the Voter Portal. When you receive your ballot, you’ll follow the directions on the enclosed affidavits.”

However, there are a few extra steps you’ll need to take.

“If you are filling out a Standard Absentee Ballot, you will have to have it notarized,” she says. “You can find a local notary on the American Association of Notaries website, and you can check to make sure they are commissioned by going to the Oklahoma Secretary of State website. I do like to remind people to carefully read and follow the directions that are mailed along with the ballot so we can make sure your vote is counted. To request an absentee ballot for the November election, you must do so by October 21.”

“In late 2023, we started a big recruitment effort to find enough poll workers for the numerous elections this year,” says Freeman. “For a large election, we fully staff 251 polling locations. That means an inspector, a judge and a clerk must be assigned to each location. That effort has really started to pay off. The community heard the call and applied in large numbers.”