Candidate filing for the Board of Education begins Monday, Dec. 2, for ten Okmulgee County school districts.

Those who wish to file for a Board of Education office must submit a Declaration of Candidacy to the Okmulgee County Election Board Dec. 2-4 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Candidate filing packets are now available on the State Election Board website at oklahoma.gov/elections/candidates/ candidate-filing.html and at the County Election Board.

In addition to the Declaration of Candidacy, candidates must also submit a Voter Registration Verification Form, which can be obtained from the County Election Board or by logging into the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp.html. Information on the Voter Registration Verification Form must match the information provided on the Declaration of Candidacy.

Okmulgee County Election Board Secretary Carnes reminds candidates that Contests of Candidacy must be filed no later than Friday, Dec. 6, by 5 p.m. and may only be filed by another candidate for that office. Contests against unopposed candidates may be filed by contacting the County Election Board.

If more than two candidates file for the same Board of Education seat, a Primary Election will be held Tuesday, Feb. 11. If one candidate receives more than 50% of the votes, that candidate will be named the elected official. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will vie for the seat during the Board of Education General Election, Tuesday, April 1. If only two candidates file for the same Board of Education seat, those two candidates’ names will appear on the General Election ballot in April.

Declarations of Candidacy will be accepted for the following school district offices:

• Beggs – Office No. 4 (Unexpired Term)

• Beggs – Office No. 5

• Dewar – Office No. 5

• GCTC – Office No. 3

• Henryetta – Office No. 2 (Unexpired Term)

• Henryetta – Office No. 5 • Morris – Office No. 5

• Okmulgee – Office No. 5

• Preston – Office No. 5

• Schulter – Office – No. 5

• Twin Hills – Office No. 3

• Wilson – Office No. 5 – For more information, contact your County Election Board office at 918-756-2365 or OkmulgeeCounty@ elections.ok.gov. The Okmulgee County Election Board is located at 314 W. 7th Street, Room 102 in the Okmulgee County Courthouse, and regular business hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. During the Candidate Filing Period, the office will have extended hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2 through Friday, Dec. 6.