The filing period for candidates seeking office will begin Monday, Dec. 2.

Citizens wishing to serve can file for the following posts:

• School Boards

• City of Okmulgee Councilmember at Large

• Okmulgee County Commissioner, District 1 Those who wish to file for the city office must submit a Declaration of Candidacy to the Okmulgee County Election Board on Dec. 2-4 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Candidate filing packets are 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.

Ashley Carnes, Secretary of the Okmulgee County Election Board, reminds candidates that Contests of Candidacy must be filed no later than 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, and may only be filed by another candidate for that office unless a candidate files unop- posed. 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, 2025. 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 offices:

Beggs School District

• Office No. 4 (Unexpired Term)

• Office No. 5 — Dewar School District • Office No. 5 — GCTC School District • Office No. 3 — Henryetta School District • Office No. 2 (Unexpired Term)

• Office No. 5 — Morris School District • Office No. 5 — Okmulgee School District • Office No. 5 — Preston School District • Office No. 5 — Schulter School District • Office No. 5 — Twin Hills School District • Office No. 3 — Wilson School District

• Office No. 5 – The Special Primary Election for District 1 County Commissioner will be held Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. The Special General Election will be held Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

The Okmulgee County Election Board is located at 314 W. 7th Street, Room 102 in the Okmulgee County Courthouse. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, contact the County Election Board at 918-756-2365 or OkmulgeeCounty@ elections.ok.gov. Note: 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.