Early Voting for April Board of Education General Election starts Thursday

Early voting for the April General Election begins Thursday, March 28th, 2024 for voters in Washita County. Voters who will not be able to make it to the polls on Election Day have the option of voting early at their County Election Board. Cordell Public Schools has two Board of Education seat races on the ballot. The unexpired term of Board Member Office No. 3 has two candidates, Parker Christian and Cole Gregg, and Board Member Office No. 4 sees incumbent Levi Jones versus Danielle Dick Ivey.

Washita County Election Board Secretary Assistant Ashton Hymer said early voting is open to all voters.

“You do not need to provide an excuse to vote early. Oklahoma allows early voting for all elections conducted by the County Election Board or 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,” Hymer said.

Early voting is available Thursday, March 28th and Friday, March 29th 2024 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Washita County Election Board office located at 111 E Main Street in Cordell. Hymer reminds voters that early voting is not available at polling locations.

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.

Washita County election officials also remind voters of the follow ing Election Day laws.

PERSONS ALLOWED INSIDE ELECTION ENCLOSURE

It is a crime for any person other than voters and election offic ials 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 indivi dual 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.

Electioneering can 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 bo ard shall be publicly placed or exposed within 300 feet of any ballot box while an election is in progr ess. 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 commissio n from the County Election Board Sec retary to conduct “polls” or interviews of voters leaving the p olling place. No pollster shall be permitted within 50 feet of any ballot box while an election is in progre ss and shall be limited to written polling mate rials.

Any person conducting an exit poll within 300 feet of any ballo t 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.

For more information or to report a potential violation of election law, contact the Washita County Election Board at 580-832-3658 or WASHITACOUNTY@ELECTIONS.OK.GOV.