Several important election dates and a polling place change are upcoming for Washita County voters.
The candidate filing period for the Municipal Election to be held on April 4th is next week, February 6th through February 8th. There are elected positions open in multiple Washita County communities, including the seat of Mayor in Cordell.
On February 14th there will be a Board of Education and Special Proposition Election. Washita County voters who reside in the Elk City school district will vote for or against a proposition concerning bonds to provide funds for transportation equipment. There will also be a ballot for Canute Public Schools Board of Education Office No. 3. The candidates are Brad Hohnke, Josh Thompson, and Steven Schuster. Early voting will be held at the Election Board office on the first floor of the Washita County Courthouse on February 9th and 10th from 8 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
A State Special Election will be held on March 7th concerning State Question 820, which if passed would legalize marijuana for recreational purposes in Oklahoma. Of important note for this election is a polling place change for voters in Precinct 750012. The polling place has changed from the Bessie Town Hall to the Peace Lutheran Church, 11206 N. 2250 Rd in Bessie. The polling place was moved due to finding a more convenient location for the voters in precinct 750012. The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot for the March 7th election is February 20th. Election Board Assistant Secretary Ashton Hymer 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 correctly in order to be counted,” Hymer said. All completed absentee ballots must be either hand delivered to the County Election Board no later than 6 p.m. on the day before Election Day.or received by mail on election day before 7 p.m.
The Washita County Election Board is located at 111 E Main St and is open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, please contact the Election Board at 580-832-3658 or WashitaCounty@elections. ok.gov.