Request Primary Ballots Now

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 19.

Blaine County Election Board Secretary Brenda Rice 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 Rice.

Voters can apply online using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/o vp. Applications are also available at your county election board or can be downloaded at oklahoma. gov/elections.

Rice 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.

Voters with questions about absentee voting should contact the county election board at (580) 623-5518 or blainecounty@elections.o k.gov.

Early Voting Begins February 29

Early voting begins Thursday February 29 for voters in Blaine County. Voters who will not be able to make it to the polls on election day, have the option of voting early at their county election board.

Rice said early voting is open to all voters. “You do not need to provide an excuse to vote early. Oklahoma allows early voting for all elections conducted by the county election board or state election board— from school board and municipal elections to state and federal elections. This is a great option for those who will be out of town on election day or who want to avoid long lines,” Rice said.

Early voting is available Thursday, February 29 and Friday, March 1 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 2 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Blaine County Courthouse located at 212 N Weigle Ave . Rice reminds voters that early voting is not available at polling locations.

Some voters may need assistance to vote because they are blind or visually disabled, physically disabled or infirmed, or illiterate. Such individuals may request to have an assistant or vote privately and independently using the ATI device attached to the voting device. Those who require assistance should talk to their precinct official or contact the county election board directly for instructions.

Sample ballots available for March 5 elections

Sample ballots are now available for the March 5 election. Voters can download a sample ballot using the state election board OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp or pick up a copy at the Blaine County Election Board during normal business hours.

Blaine County Election Board Secretary Brenda Rice reminds voters that sample ballots are specific to each person. “If the OK Voter Portal indicates that you have no sample ballots available, it means you are not eligible to vote in an upcoming election. We recommend checking the OK Voter Portal to make sure you have an election before heading to the polls.”

Rice said sample ballots will also be posted outside every precinct polling place on election day, so voters can review them before casting their votes.

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)6235518 or blainecounty@elections.ok.gov.