Okmulgee, OK – The deadline to request absentee ballots by mail is approaching. Applications must be received by the County Election Board no later than 5 p.m. Monday, February 17.

Okmulgee County Election Board Secretary Ashley Carnes said absentee voting is available to all voters, and applications can be submitted several ways. “In Oklahoma, no excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot, and it’s easy to apply! Voters can submit their application online, in person, by fax, mail, or even email,” said Ashley Carnes.

Voters can apply online using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp. Applications are also available at the County Election Board or can be downloaded at oklahoma.gov/elections.

Carnes reminds voters that only the applicant can submit his or her own absentee ballot application. It is against the law to submit an absentee ballot application for another person.

The unexpired term of the State Senate District 8 seat will be on the March 4 Republican Primary ballot. As a reminder, the State Senate race is a partisan election, meaning a Party Primary. Oklahoma’s Primary elections are closed. Voters must be registered with the party to be eligible to vote in that party’s primary elections. If a candidate does not receive a majority of the votes (50% plus 1), Two candidates with the most votes from the Primary will advance to the Primary Runoff held on April 1. The candidate with the highest number of votes from the Primary Runoff will advance to the May 13 General Election. Candidates who filed for State Senator District 8:

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