Election tips: What to know before you vote
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - Oklahomans will soon be headed to the polls. Here are some tips to ensure you are prepared.
Register to Vote in Oklahoma
Voter Registration Applications can be accepted at any time, but must be received at least 25 days prior to an election in order to participate in that election. Voter registration deadlines for upcoming elections are available on the State Election Board website.
You must have your valid ID card ready and choose one of the options below.
ONLINE
- Register online using the OK Voter Portal's Online Voter Registration System. (An Oklahoma Driver License/State ID and a signature on file with Service Oklahoma is required.)
BY MAIL
- Fill out a Voter Registration Application using the OK Voter Portal “wizard.” (You must print, sign, and mail or hand deliver the application to your County Election Board to complete the process.)
- Download a Voter Registration Application from the State Election Board website. Applications are also available at your County Election Board, most tag agencies, libraries, and post offices.
- Applications must be mailed or hand delivered to your County Election Board to complete the process.
IN PERSON
- Register at your County Election Board office.
- Register at your local tag agency when you apply for, update, or renew your Driver License or State ID. Submitted applications will be mailed to the State Election Board by the agent at no cost.
- Register with select public assistance agencies when you apply for, update, or renew services. Submitted applications will be mailed to the State Election Board by the agent at no cost.
UNIFORMED SERVICES AND OVERSEAS CITIZENS
- Visit our Military/Overseas Voters page for special instructions.
How to update and make Changes to voter registration
It’s easy to update your voter registration! Choose one of the options below.
- Use the OK Voter Portal.
- Opt in to automatically submit changes to your voter registration at your local tag agency when you apply for, renew, or update your Driver License or State ID.
- Opt in to update your voter registration at designated public assistance agencies when you apply for, renew, or update your application for services.
- Complete a paper Voter Registration Application using the OK Voter Portal “wizard.” (You will need to print, mail or hand deliver the application to your County Election Board to complete the process.)
- Download a Voter Registration Application from the State Election Board website and mail or hand deliver the application to your County Election Board. (Applications are also available at your County Election Board, most tag agencies, libraries, and post offices. Applications submitted to any tag agency that issues Oklahoma Driver Licenses/State IDs or any designated public assistance agency will be mailed to the State Election Board by the agent at no cost.)
- Download the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) from the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website and submit it your County Election Board. (military and overseas voters only)
IMPORTANT: When submitting a request for change, be sure to include your previous voter registration information (name, address, county/state).
Deadline to Submit Changes
You can submit changes at any time; however, the law prohibits changes from being made 24 days or less prior to an election in your precinct. The deadline to make changes to your registration is the same as the deadline to register to vote. Changes received after the deadline will be held and processed immediately following the election.
Voting at Previous Polling Place
State law [26 O.S. § 4-117] allows voters, who have moved to a new address within the county where they are currently registered to vote, the opportunity to vote at their previous polling place by showing a valid ID, filling out a new Voter Registration Application, and submitting it to precinct officials. Voter Registration Applications submitted to precinct officials on Election Day will be processed immediately following the election.
New Voter ID Card
You will be mailed a new Voter ID card upon approval of your request. If you have not received a new Voter ID card within 30 days of submitting your changes or registration application, please contact your County Election Board.
Noncitizens
Noncitizens are not eligible to become registered voters in the State of Oklahoma.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 1 of Article III of the Oklahoma Constitution, “qualified electors” must be citizens of the United States and bona fide residents of the State of Oklahoma who are over the age of eighteen.
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 4 of Article III of the Oklahoma Constitution, "The Legislature shall prescribe the time and manner of holding and conducting all elections, and enact such laws as may be necessary to detect and punish fraud in such elections. The Legislature may provide by law for the registration of electors throughout the state and, when it is so provided, no person shall vote at any election unless he shall have registered according to law."
State law further states that to be eligible to register to vote in Oklahoma, a person must be a qualified elector — which includes being a citizen. The statute also places restrictions on persons convicted of a felony or adjudged to be an incapacitated person. (See 26 O.S. § 4-101.)
Additionally, multiple laws are in place to ensure compliance:
It is a felony for a noncitizen to register to vote in Oklahoma. (See 26 O.S. § 16-103 and 26 O.S. § 16-103.1.)
No person shall be permitted to vote in any election conducted by any county election board unless such person is a registered voter, unless otherwise provided by law. (See 26 O.S. § 4-102)
“No voter registration services shall be offered to any person who, at the time of an application for issuance or renewal of an Oklahoma driver license or state identification card, provides documentation that shows that the person is not a citizen of the United States.” (See 26 O.S. § 4-109.3)
“The court clerk in each county shall prepare each month a list of all persons who were excused from jury duty for not being a citizen of the United States and provide the list to the secretary of the county election board. The secretary shall cancel the registration of each registered voter included on the list, and shall report the person or persons to the district attorney and the United States attorney for the county.” (See 26 O.S. § 4-120.5.)
A voter’s registration may only be cancelled for reasons allowed by law. (See 26 O.S. § 4-120.)
Once your registration is approved, you have multiple ways to cast your ballot.
On Election Day
The polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
During "Early Voting"
No excuse is needed to vote early.
Find Your Early Voting Location/Dates/Times
By Mail Absentee
No excuse is needed to vote by mail.
Request your ballot using the OK Voter Portal: oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp.html…
If you want to learn more about absentee voting click: oklahoma.gov/elections/voters/absentee-voting.html.
Time Off for Voting
State law 26 O.S. § 7-101 allows time off for voting.
By law, employers must allow employees, who are registered to vote, two hours of time to vote either on Election Day or during early voting periods; however, there are several provisions.
(1) An employee must work at such a distance that extended time off would be necessary to vote.
(2) Time off for voting can only be granted upon oral or written request and must be made at least three days prior to the day in which the voter intends to be absent.
(3) The employer may select the day(s) and/or hour(s) the employee may use to vote.
(4) Time off will not be granted to employees, if a three-hour voting period exists before or after the employees’ normal working hours.
(5) Employers may alter an employee’s work scheduled to accommodate voting hours.
Upon proof of voting, an employee will not be subject to any loss of compensation or other penalty for such absence.
Voters with additional questions should consult their employer or legal advisor.
Find your local voting locations here.