The Okmulgee County Election Board will hold special hours Feb. 6-7 to accommodate voters, according to Secretary Ashley Carnes.

During those dates, the County Election Board office will be open for early voting from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for voters who want to vote early for the Feb. 11 election.

The February election is a multi-district election – five entities are having an election: County Commissioner District 1, City of Okmulgee Councilmember at Large, Beggs Public School Board of Education, Preston Public School Proposition and Wilson Public School Proposition.

The Okmulgee County Election Board is located at 314 W 7th Street, Room 102, in Okmulgee. For more information, contact the County Election Board at 918-756-2365 or OkmulgeeCounty@ elections.ok.gov.

— Services available to military and overseas voters The Okmulgee County Election Board offers special services to military and overseas voters along with their spouses and dependents, making it easier for them to vote. All eligible applicants must complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) in order to access benefits.

“We encourage applicants to complete the Federal Post Card Application, which is available through the government Federal Voting Assistance Program,” Carnes said. The application serves as both a voter registration application and an absentee ballot application.”

The federal absentee ballot application is valid through two consecutive federal, general elections and must be renewed. It is recommended that military and overseas voters, along with their eligible family members, review their registration at least once a year to ensure their registration and absentee ballot application are current.

Military personnel and their families should contact the Voting Services Officer in their unit for information. Residents of Oklahoma living overseas can obtain the same materials from any United States military installation and from United States Embassies and Consulates. Both parties can also access forms and information online through the Federal Voting Assistance Program at fvap.gov.

Contact information for the Okmulgee County Election Board can be found on the fvap.gov website. Voters with questions can also contact the County Election Board at 918-7562365.

— Voter registration deadline approaches

Friday, Feb. 7, is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the March 4 State Special Election for Senate Seat District 8.

According to Carnes, persons who are United States Citizens, residents of Oklahoma and at least 17 ½ years old are eligible to apply for voter registration. However, you must be at least 18 years old to vote.

Applications must be received by the County Election Board or postmarked no later than midnight, Feb. 7. Applications postmarked after that time will be accepted but will not be processed until after the March 4th Election. Applications may also be submitted to any motor vehicle agency that is also an official voter registration agency by the submission deadline.

Applicants will be notified in writing when their application has been processed. Approved voters will receive a Voter Identification Card in the mail. Some may receive a letter that explains the reason or reasons the application was not approved. According to Carnes, those who do not receive a response within 30 days of submitting their application should contact the County Election Board office immediately.

The Okmulgee County Election Board reminds voters that applications must be approved by the County Election Board Secretary in order to vote.

Registered voters who have moved to Okmulgee County from a different county or state will need to complete a new Voter Registration Application in order to be eligible for elections in Okmulgee County. If you have moved within the county and need to update your address, you may make changes online using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp or complete a Voter Registration Application.

Voter Registration Applications can be downloaded from the State Election Board website at oklahoma.gov/ elections. You may also complete a form at your County Election Board. Most post offices, tag agencies and public libraries have applications available upon request.

The Okmulgee County Election Board is located at 314 W 7th Street, Room 102, in Okmulgee and is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For questions, please contact the Election Board at 918756-2365 or OkmulgeeCounty@elections. ok.gov.