Voter Registration in Oklahoma
You need to register to vote in Oklahoma before you will be allowed to cast your ballot. Instead of asking, “Am I registered to vote?” or “Where do I vote?” a week before the election, you will want to understand how the process works. This way, you can focus on the candidates instead of the process. As well, this will allow you to ensure that you have the privilege of voting in the next election.
In this article, you will learn how to register to vote in OK, including who is eligible to vote, when you need to register by, how to register as a resident, how to register as someone serving overseas, how to vote early, how to vote absentee and how to change your registration information if any of it is incorrect. As well, you will learn about the importance of registration cards. By the end of the article, your understanding of the voting process in Oklahoma should enable you to make your voice heard during the next election.
Who can register to vote in Oklahoma?
Registering to vote in Oklahoma is a possibility for most adult residents of the state. Oklahoma does not require you to establish residency in the state for any length of time before you register, but it does not allow registrations less than 25 days before Election Day, so you will need to have established your residency and registered before that time.
Because you must be an adult in order to register to vote, you will need to be at least 18 years old before you are allowed to vote. This age limitation applies when registering, unless your birthday falls a maximum of 60 days before the election. In this case, no matter your birthday, you are allowed to apply no more than 60 days before the election. You will need to register as a 17 year old if your birthday falls within 24 days of the election.
Oklahoma Voter Registration Deadline
Voter registration in Oklahoma for an upcoming election is closed 24 days prior to that election. This does not mean that you are unable to apply. Instead, it simply means that your registration form will not be processed until after the election.
When you mail your registration form, it only needs to be postmarked 25 days before the election. So long as it is postmarked before the deadline, it will be processed and you will be allowed to vote.
How to Register to Vote in Oklahoma
Registering to vote in Oklahoma requires you to fill out the registration application. This application is available at many government facilities, such as the DMV and libraries. You can also get the form at a County Election Board or registration drive.
Depending on where you get the form, it may be submitted for you. If not, you will need to mail it to the State Election Board.
Oklahoma Voter Registration for Absentee Voting
If you are eligible to register to vote in Oklahoma, you are eligible to get an absentee ballot. You can get this form whether or not you will be able to vote on Election Day. The Oklahoma State Election Board allows you to submit the Absentee Voting Application using a few different methods:
- Online
- At the State Election Board
- At any county election Board
- Via the mail
If you are requesting a ballot via mail, there is an alternative to sending in the Absentee Voting Application, you may write a letter stating you want the ballot while providing the board with identifying information, such as your date of birth and address. Providing a state-issued ID, like a drivers license, can help you in this process. You will also need to indicate which election or elections you want the absentee ballot for.
You will receive your absentee ballot no later than the Wednesday before the election.
Early Voting in Oklahoma
Absentee voters in Oklahoma have the option of voting early, in-person. To do so, you will need to submit your absentee ballot Thursday, Friday or Saturday before election. In-person early voting is not allowed Sunday or Monday, and the polls close at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The county board of election determines where in-person early voters submit their ballots.
Oklahoma Voter Registration for Active Duty Military and Out-of-State Residents
Members of the military who are serving overseas should not apply for an absentee ballot form. Instead, there is a separate form designed to ensure their voting rights: the Federal Post Card Application. This application is available online, but it can also be printed out and mailed to the county board of elections.
Voter Registration Cards in Oklahoma
All voters receive a voter registration card in the mail when they first register to vote. You should bring this card with you every time you go to the polls. It lists important identifying information, such as your name and address, while also listing your polling location.
Moreover, there is a signature on the card, which will be compared to the signature you use at the polling location. If the two signatures do not match, your vote may be thrown out. If any of the information on your card is not correct, you will need to contact the county election board.
How to Change Your Voter Registration in Oklahoma
If you decide to change your voter registration address in Oklahoma, you may do so by filling out another registration form and submitting it to the county board of elections. The new form will overwrite the information on your old registration.
This works for voter registration change of address, name or political party. Independents in the state will need to identify themselves as no-party voters. Political parties are not required to have open primaries in Oklahoma, which means you may be unable to vote in any primaries. That said, political parties do have the option of allowing open primaries.
If you do change your name, make sure that you go through the drivers license name change process, as you may need this document to change your voter registration information.
How to Replace a Lost Oklahoma Voter Registration Card
If you lose your voter registration card, you will need to contact your county board of elections in order to get a new one.