Absentee deadline for election is Oct 21

DEADLINE TO REQUEST ABSENTEE BALLOT FOR NOVEMBER 5, 2024 ELECTION APPROACHES

Voters in Kay County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the November 5, 2024 General Election should apply now, Kay County Election Board Secretary Carol Leaming said today.

Absentee ballots are available to all registered voters, provided they are eligible to vote in the election requested. No excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot.

The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is 5 pm Monday October 21, 2024. Voters can submit a request using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp. Request forms are also available at oklahoma.gov/elections and at the Kay County Election Board office located at 219 S Main St. in Newkirk.

Leaming reminds voters to allow time for an absentee ballot to be received, completed and returned by mail to the Kay County Election Board. “With some exceptions, all absentee ballot affidavits must be notarized before being returned. Voters should give themselves plenty of time to make sure all steps have been followed and that the ballot is returned on time in order to be counted,” Leaming said.

Voters exempt from having an absentee ballot affidavit notarized include those who are physically incapacitated and those who care for physically incapacitated individuals that cannot be left alone. Voters who request a “physically incapacitated “ ballots must have the signature on their absentee ballot affidavit witnessed by two people.

Military personnel and residents living overseas, along with their spouses  and dependents are also eligible for certain allowances. Military personnel should contact the Voting Services Officer in their unit for an Absentee Ballot  Application. Residents living overseas may obtain Absentee Ballot Applications from any United States military installation or United States Embassy or Consulate. Military personnel and overseas citizens who are already registered voters in Oklahoma  may apply for absentee ballots using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp. Those who need to complete a new Voter Registration Application should apply through the Federal Voting Assistance Program at FVAP.gov.

All completed absentee ballots must be in the hands of the Kay County Election Board no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.