Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 8, 2022 for the General / Special Election. Blaine County Election Board Secretary, Brenda Rice, offers these important tips to voters— especially those who will be casting a ballot for the first time.
Voting Tips:
• Mark your ballot using the example posted at your polling place and inside your ballot booth. If you make a mistake, do not try to correct it. Instead, take your ballot to the precinct officials. They will destroy the ballot and issue a new one.
• You do not need to make a selection for each issue on the ballot in order for your ballot to be counted. The voting device will cast votes only for those issues which you have marked.
• Ballots can be read by the voting device regardless of how you insert the ballot into the system. If the system detects too many markings for a single office or question, an error report will be printed and the ballot will be returned to the voter for a new ballot to be issued.
• If you need assistance or would like to use the audioassisted ballot system, let a precinct official know. You do not have to show proof of a disability to use the audioassisted ballot system.
• Be sure to bring an approved form of identification. Federal and state issued photo IDs, passports, and tribal-issued, photo IDs are accepted. You may also use the voter identification card you were mailed when you registered.
If you forget your voter ID or your name is not found in the Precinct Registry, you may still cast a provisional ballot by signing an affidavit. A provisional ballot is sealed in a special envelope and counted after Election Day, once the voter’s information has been verified by the County Election Board. Election results cannot be certified until all provisional ballots have been researched, verified, and counted.
Rice says election officials are there to assist voters and ensure all procedures are followed on Election Day. If you believe a law has been violated. Contact precinct or county election officials immediately. Do not wait until you leave the polling location.
Voting activity is generally slowest during the mid-morning and mid-afternoon, but the Election Board says lines and wait times can vary from precinct to precinct. All voters who want to cast a ballot should be in line no later than 7 p.m.
“Anyone who is in line by 7 p.m. on Tuesday and eligible to vote, will be allowed to vote,” Rice said.
You can locate your polling location using the State Election Board’s OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp. The Blaine County Election Board is located at 212 N Weigle and is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, please contact the Election Board at 580-623-- 5518.
Election Day Laws
Voters in Blaine County are reminded to keep the integrity of the election system in mind, when going to the polls next week.
While ballot “selfies” or taking photographs of a marked ballot are legal, voters may not share or distribute the image through social media or by any other means while inside the election enclosure. Voters must wait until they leave their polling place before posting or sharing the picture with anyone. Improper use of the photo could result in a violation of the law. Voters may not use the image to coerce, influence, or intimidate another voter.
Blaine County Election Board Secretary, Brenda Rice, says voters should be aware that violating the law has consequences.
“While some offenses may seem minor, unlawful activity on Election Day constitutes a serious crime and could result in a misdemeanor or in some cases, a felony conviction. We want all voters to be aware of their actions and be respectful of the rights of others.”
Rice said, it is illegal to disclose how you voted with anyone while inside the election enclosure. In addition, you may not remove a ballot from the polling place.
Keep in mind that electioneering is prohibited within 300 feet of any ballot box while an election is in progress. This includes wearing or bringing visible campaign related paraphernalia into the election enclosure. Rice notes that no one except election officials and voters waiting to vote are allowed within 50 feet of any ballot box on Election Day. Certain exceptions are made for media and those assisting disabled voters.
Voters are reminded that consuming alcohol of any kind or quantity within onehalf mile of a polling place on Election Day is prohibited.
The polls will be open 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. November 8, 2022