Early voting to begin July 6 (Sample ballots, other information included in this post)

Early voting will begin Thursday, July 6, for voters in Haskell County. Voters who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day, July 11, have the option of voting early at their county election board. Early voting is open to all voters.
On July 11, county voters will cast ballots regarding the sale of alcoholic beverages by the individual drink on Sundays. Kinta voters will decide whether to approve an ordinance granting Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO) another 25-year non-exclusive franchise.
Voters do not need to provide an excuse to vote early. Oklahoma allows early voting for all elections conducted through the Oklahoma 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.
Early voting is available Thursday, July 6; and Friday July 7 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Haskell County Election Board.
There will be no early voting on Saturday for this election. Early voting is not available at polling locations.
The Haskell County Election Board is located at 202 E Main St., Suite 1 and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, please contact the election board at (918)967-8792 or HaskellCounty@elections.ok.gov.

Election Day laws and reminders

Voters in Haskell 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.
Haskell County Election Board Secretary Rhonda Hurst said 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,” she said.
Hurst added, “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.
Hurst explained 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 one-half mile of a polling place on Election Day is prohibited.

Election Day reminders and tips

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, July 11, for the Haskell County and Kinta Special Election.
The Haskell County Election Board 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 code will appear. The voter can choose to submit the ballot as it is or request a new ballot.
 If you need assistance or would like to use the audio-assisted 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. 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.
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 election board officials said 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.
Polling locations can be located by  using the State Election Board’s OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp.
Polls will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 11.

Request an emergency ballot

Registered voters who become physically incapacitated after 5 p.m. Monday, June 26 and cannot make it to the polls, still have an opportunity to cast their ballot.
Haskell County Election Board Secretary Rhonda Hurst said that state law permits voters who become emergency incapacitated after 5 p.m. Monday, June 26 to vote under special provisions. Hurst said emergency incapacitation is something most voters don’t think about. “Voting is our constitutional right, but life happens. Injury, illness or even childbirth can prevent a voter from being able to go to the polls.That’s why it’s important to make sure voters know their rights in the event of an emergency,” she said.
Individuals who become physically incapacitated after 5 p.m. June 26, should contact their county election board as soon as possible. Hurst said election board officials will work with them to make sure they have all of the necessary information to cast a ballot. Information can also be found on the Oklahoma State Election Board website at oklahoma.gov/elections.
The Haskell County Election Board is located at 202 E Main St. Suite 1 and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Election board officials can be reached at (918) 967-8792 or HaskellCounty@elections.ok.gov.