Vicki Martin, Secretary of CREEK County Election Board, 918-224-3529 or creekcounty@elections.ok.go v Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 5, for the general election. Creek County Election Board Secretary Vicki Martin reminds voters that not all county precincts are affected by this ballot and 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 candidate / issue on the ballot in order for your ballot to be counted. The voting device will count votes only for those candidates / issues which you have marked. • Ballots can be read by the voting device regardless of how you insert the ballot into the device. If the device detects too many markings for a single office or question, an error report will be displayed 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 audio-assisted ballot system.• Be sure to bring an approved form of identification. Photo identification cards issued by the federal government, State of Oklahoma, or a federally recognized tribe are accepted. You may also use the free, voter identification card mailed to you by your County Election Board when you registered to vote. Forms of identification with an expiration date, must have an expiration date that falls After the date of the election. If you forget your voter ID or your name is not found in the Precinct Registry, you may vote a provisional ballot by signing an affidavit. A provisional ballot is sealed in a special envelope and counted after Election Day, if the voter’s registration information can be verified by the County Election Board. Election results cannot be certified until all provisional ballots have been researched, verified, and (if valid) counted. 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. Martin said election officials are there to assist voters and ensure all procedures are followed on Election Day. If you believe an election law has been violated, contact precinct and/or county election officials immediately. Do not wait until you leave the polling location. Voting activity is generally slowest mid-morning and mid-afternoon, but 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,” Martin said.
You can locate your polling place and view a sample ballot using the State Election Board’s OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp.
ELECTION DAY LAWS AND REMINDERS Voters are reminded to keep the integrity of the election system in mind, when going to the polls. 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. 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. 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. Martin 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 the press, 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 also prohibited. Voters who believe an election law has been violated should contact precinct officials and/or the County Election Board immediately, while the alleged violation is in progress.
PERSONS ALLOWED INSIDE ELECTION ENCLOSURE It is a crime for any person other than voters and election officials to remain within 30 feet of a ballot box while an election is in place. Additionally, it is unlawful for any person other than election officials and voters to be inside the election enclosure where voters are checked in, issued ballots, and vote. This law is not intended to include minor children who accompany voters to their voting location. A news reporter or photographer may, while covering the election being conducted, be allowed inside the election enclosure for no more than five (5) minutes. The reporter or photographer shall not interfere with voters or election officials and shall neither observe any individual voter while the voter marks a ballot, nor photograph any voter who is marking a ballot.
ILLEGAL VOTING It is a crime to vote more than once at any election, or vote in a precinct after having transferred your voter registration to a new precinct, or vote knowing that you are not eligible. It is also unlawful to vote and submit an absentee ballot issued to another person. ELECTIONEERING Electioneering is advocating for or against a candidate or issue that is on the ballot. It is a crime to electioneer within 300 feet of any ballot box while an election is in progress. Electioneeringcan be verbal or it can include displaying items such as signs, pamphlets, t-shirts, buttons or hats. If voters are unsure whether or not their clothing or accessories would constitute an election crime, it is recommended that those items be left at home.
PRINTED MATERIAL
No printed material other than that provided by the election board shall be publicly placed or exposed within 300 feet of any ballot box while an election is in progress. Voters may, however, bring personal notes to assist them with their election choices while they are marking their ballot. Personal notes must remain concealed at all other times while inside the election enclosure.
PHOTOGRAPHS AND DISCLOSURE OF VOTE A voter may take a digital image or photograph of their marked ballot while inside the election enclosure. However, it is unlawful for voters to post the image or photograph on social media or otherwise distribute or disclose how they voted until they have left the election enclosure.
ELECTION INTERFERENCE It is a misdemeanor to interfere with the orderly and lawful conduct of an election. No one, including a lawfully appointed watcher or exit pollster may interfere with a registered voter who is attempting to vote, or may attempt to influence the vote of a person by means of force or intimidation. This includes activity both before and during an election.
POLLSTERS An “exit pollster” is a person who receives an official commission from the County Election Board Secretary to conduct “polls” or interviews of voters leaving the polling place. No pollster shall be permitted within 50 feet of any ballot box while an election is in progress and shall be limited to written polling materials. Any person conducting an exit poll within 300 feet of any ballot box shall display identification provided by the Secretary of the County Election Board. Voters are not required to participate in exit polls.
INTOXICATION It is unlawful to take intoxicating liquors of any kind or quantity to within one-half mile of any polling place on an Election Day. Additionally, no person shall attend an election or be within 300 feet of a polling place in an intoxicated condition on an Election Day.
REPORTING POTENTIAL CRIMES Voters who believe an election crime is being committed, should contact their county election board or local law enforcement while the act is in progress or as soon as possible. Be prepared to provide as much information and documentation as possible. The Creek County Election Board is located at 230 E. Hobson Ave, Sapulpa and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, please contact the Election Board at 918-224-3529 or creekcounty@ elections. ok. gov.