Candidate filing for Board of Education seats in

10 Okmulgee County school districts will open Monday, Dec. 1, marking the start of a three-day window for individuals wishing to serve their local schools. Filing will continue through Wednesday, Dec. 3, with submissions accepted from 8 a.m. to

5 p.m. each day at the Okmulgee County Election Board.

Prospective candidates must complete and submit a Declaration of Candidacy, along with a Voter Registration Verification Form, both of which are available online and in person. Filing packets may be downloaded from the Oklahoma State Election Board website, and verification forms can be obtained through the County Election Board or the OK Voter Portal. All voter information listed must match exactly between both documents to be accepted.

Ashley Carnes, Secretary of the Okmulgee County Election Board, reminds candidates that Contests of Candidacy – formal challenges from opposing candidates – must be filed no later than Friday, Dec. 5, at 5 p.m. Contests against unopposed candidates may also be filed by contacting the Election Board directly.

— Primary & General Election Details

If more than two candidates file for the same school board seat, a Nonpartisan Primary Election will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Any candidate receiving more than 50% of the votes will be declared elected.

If no one secures a majority, the top two vote-getters will advance to the Board of Education General Election, scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

If only two candidates file for a seat, both names will bypass the primary and appear directly on the April General Election ballot.

— School District Offices open for filing

Declarations of Candidacy will be accepted for the following School District seats:

• Beggs – Office No. 1 (5-year term)

• Dewar – Office No. 1 and Office No. 4 (3-year unexpired term)

• Green Country Tech Center – Office No. 4 (5year term)

• Henryetta – Office No. 1 (5-year term)

• Morris – Office No. 1 (5-year term)

• Okmulgee – Office No. 1 (5-year term)

• Preston – Office No. 1 (5-year term)

• Schulter – Office No. 1 (5-year term)

• Twin Hills – Office No. 1 (3-year term)

• Wilson – Office No. 1 (5-year term) — City of Okmulgee Councilmember filing also

begins Dec. 1

In addition to school board filings, the Okmulgee County Election Board will also accept candidate filings for City of Okmulgee Councilmember – Ward 1 and Ward 2 during the same Dec. 1-3 period. Eligible residents of each ward may submit a Declaration of Candidacy between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. those days, following the same filing requirements outlined above. These city offices will also follow the Feb. 10 primary and April 7 general election format.

— Filing Information

Filings must be submitted in person to the Okmulgee County Election Board, 314 W. 7th Street, Room 102, in Okmulgee.

Regular office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, though filing period hours extend to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For additional information, contact the Election Board at 918-756-2365 or email OkmulgeeCounty@ elections.ok.gov. With numerous seats on the ballot and important decisions ahead for area schools, local residents interested in shaping the direction of education in Okmulgee County are encouraged to file during the upcoming three-day period.