Voters in McIntosh County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the March 5, 2024 Presidential Preferential Primary Election and McIntosh County Special Election should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Janelle McKnight said.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 19.

Request forms are available at oklahoma.gov/elections and at the County Election Board office located on the 1st floor of the McIntosh County Courthouse. NOTE: The McIntosh County Election Board and the courthouse will be closed for Presidents Day on February 19, but voters can still request an absentee ballot through the OK Voter Portal at https://okvoterportal.okelections.us.

Absentee ballots are available to all registered voters, provided they are eligible to vote in the elections. No excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot.

McKnight reminds voters to allow time for an absentee ballot to be received, completed, and returned by mail to the County Election Board.

“With some exceptions, all absentee ballot affidavits must be notarized before being returned. Voters should give themselves plenty of time to make sure all steps have been followed and that the ballot is returned on time in order to be counted,” McKnight said.

Voters exempt from having an absentee ballot affidavit notarized include those who are physically incapacitated and those who care for physically incapacitated individuals that cannot be left alone.

Voters who request a “physically incapacitated” ballot must have the signature on their absentee ballot affidavit witnessed by two people.

Military personnel and residents living overseas, along with their spouses and dependents are also eligible for certain allowances.

Military personnel should contact the Voting Services Officer in their unit for an Absentee Ballot Application.

Residents living overseas may obtain Absentee Ballot Applications from any United States military installation or United States Embassy or Consulate.

Military personnel and overseas citizens who are already registered voters in Oklahoma may apply for absentee ballots using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp. Those who need to complete a new Voter Registration Application should apply through the Federal Voting Assistance Program at FVAP.gov.

Voters who miss the deadline to apply for an absentee ballot by mail may vote early at the County Courthouse on the following dates: Thursday, February 29 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday, March 1 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or Saturday, March 2 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Early voting is not available at polling locations which will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The County Election Board is located on the 1st floor of the McIntosh County Courthouse, 110 N 1st, Eufaula, OK. Office hours are Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. except for the holiday noted above. Questions? Call us (918) 689-2452.