Absentee Ballot Provisions for the Pandemic have expired. Now what?

 This is the release from Leah Jones at the Washita County Election Board.

                TEMPORARY ABSENTEE BALLOT VERIFICATION OPTION EXPIRES

A temporary absentee ballot verification option which was put in place by state legislators last year has expired.

The temporary verification option was part of Senate Bill 210, which was passed in the spring of 2020 in response to the pandemic.  The bill gave Oklahoma voters the option to include a copy of their valid ID in lieu of a notarized or witnessed signature on their absentee ballot affidavit.  Certain provisions of the bill were valid for the 2020 election year only and expired in December.

County Election Board Secretary Leah Jones said voters who request absentee ballots in 2021 will receive updated absentee ballot instructions with their balloting material and should read them thoroughly before placing their ballot in the mail.

According to Jones, “standard” absentee ballot affidavits are required to be notarized.  “Physically incapacitated” absentee ballot affidavits must have the voter’s signature witnessed by two people.

“In other words, voters will submit their absentee ballots the same way they did prior to Senate Bill 210.  As always, we recommend voters to allow themselves plenty of time to receive, vote, and return their ballots.” said Jones.

Voters can request absentee ballots online using the OK Voter Portal on the State Election Board website at https://oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp.html or pick up an application from the County Election Board.  A list of notaries can be found on the State Election Board website at https://oklahoma.gov/elections/voter-info/absentee-voting/notary-services.html.

For more information, voters can contact the Washita County Election Board at (580) 832-3658 or WashitaCounty@elections.ok.gov. The Election Board is located at 111 E Main, First Floor Courthouse, Cordell, OK  73632.  Office hours are Monday through Friday 9am to 3pm.

Absentee Ballots

 

This has just been released by the Washita County Election Board.

 

Voters Should Apply Early for Absentee Ballots Voters in Washita County who want to have absentee ballots mailed to them for the November 3 General Election also referred to as the Presidential Election should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Leah Jones said today. Although the County Election Board can accept applications for absentee ballots until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27, Jones urged voters who want to vote by absentee ballot to apply early. Absentee ballot application forms are available at the County Election Board office located at 111 E Main, First Floor Washita County Courthouse, Cordell, Oklahoma. An online version of the form can be filled out and submitted electronically at: www.elections.ok.gov. A print form can also be downloaded at that address. Ballots must be in the hands of County Election Board officials by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted. Jones said any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he/she is eligible to vote. It is not necessary to give a reason for voting absentee. “While anyone can vote absentee without giving a reason, the law still provides several advantages to absentee voters in some categories,” Jones said. By stating one of the following reasons on their applications, absentee voters can activate special conditions that make it easier for them to use absentee ballots. The reasons are: • Voters who are physically incapacitated and voters who care for physically incapacitated persons who cannot be left unattended may vote absentee. They may apply only by mail, by fax, by email, online or via an agent who is at least 16 years of age and who is not employed by or related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to any person whose name appears on the ballot. • Voters who are confined to nursing homes in the county may vote absentee. An Absentee Voting Board actually goes to the nursing home a few days before the election, sets up a small polling place and allows these persons to vote under circumstances similar to those at a regular precinct polling place. They may apply only by mail, by fax, by email, online or via an agent who is at least 16 years of age and who is not employed by or related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to any person whose name appears on the ballot.. • Military personnel and residents of the county living overseas and the spouses and dependents of each group are eligible receive absentee ballots. These voters may apply only by mail, fax, or by email. Military personnel should contact the Voting Service Officers in their units for application forms and additional information or visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website (www.fvap.gov/oklahoma) for more information and instructions. Residents of Oklahoma living overseas can obtain the same materials from any United States military installation and from United States Embassies and Consulates as well as on the FVAP website

What you need to know about Tuesday's Election

Here's a release from the Washita County Election Board about the 3 March 2019 election.


Voters will go to the polls Tuesday for the March 3 Presidential Preferential Election, Washita County Election Board Secretary Leah Jones said today.

Please keep the following information and tips in mind as the election approaches.

 - Early voting will be available at the County Election Board office from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Early voting is also available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

- Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Lines are possible at peak voting times. Wait times will likely be shortest at mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Anyone in line to vote at 7 p.m. will be allowed to cast a ballot.

- Anyone who needs to look up their polling place, verify their registration information, or view a sample ballot can do so online. The Online Voter Tool can be accessed on the Oklahoma State Election Board’s website: www.elections.ok.gov. Those who vote by mail can also check the status of their ballot using the Online Voter Tool. Sample ballots are also available at the County Election Board office.

- Oklahoma law requires every voter who votes in person at the precinct polling place or during early voting at the County Election Board to show proof of identity before receiving a ballot. There are three ways for voters to prove their identity under the law (only one proof of identity is required): Show a valid photo ID issued by federal, state, or tribal government; or show the free voter identification card issued to every voter by the County Election Board; or sign an affidavit and vote a provisional ballot. (If the information on the affidavit matches official voter registration records, the ballot will be counted after Election Day.)

- Physically disabled voters who cannot enter the polling place, need help marking their ballots, blind or visually disabled voters and illiterate voters may be assisted by a person the voter chooses. In all cases, a person providing such assistance may not be the voter’s employer or an agent of the employer or an officer or agent of the voter’s union. A person providing assistance also must swear or affirm that the voter’s ballots will be marked in accordance with the voter’s wishes. Alternatively, all blind, visually impaired, and physically disabled voters in Washita County may use the audiotactile interface (ATI), a feature offered on all Oklahoma voting devices, to vote privately and independently, either at Washita County Election Board during early voting or at their assigned polling place on election day.

- Voters who have moved since the last election, but who have not transferred their voter registration to their new address, may do so on Election Day by going to vote at the polling place where their registration has been in the past. While voting, they may fill out a form instructing the County Election Board to transfer their registration to the new address before the next election.

- Those who became physically incapacitated after 5 p.m. Tuesday, February 25, still can request an emergency absentee ballot. Those who might qualify for an emergency absentee ballot should contact the County Election Board office at (580) 832- 3658 as soon as possible for more information.

- Any violation of election law will be reported to the proper law enforcement authorities. Electioneering is not allowed within 300 feet of a ballot box. It is also unlawful to remove a ballot from the polling location, possess intoxicating liquors within half a mile of a polling place or to disclose how you voted while within the election enclosure.

For additional election-related information, visit:www.elections.ok.gov.

Voters should apply early for absentee ballots

Ready or not, election season is upon us.  With that also comes the opportunity to be counted via absentee ballot.  Here's what our local election board has to say about that.

Voters Should Apply Early for Absentee Ballots Voters in Washita County who want to have absentee ballots mailed to them for the March 3 Presidential Preferential Election should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Leah Jones said today. Although the County Election Board can accept applications for absentee ballots until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, Jones urged voters who want to vote by absentee ballot to apply early.

Absentee ballot application forms are available at the County Election Board office located at 111 E, Main St, First Floor Courthouse, P.O. Box 602, Cordell, Oklahoma 73632. An online version of the form can be filled out and submitted electronically at: www.elections.ok.gov. A print form can also be downloaded at that address.

Ballots must be in the hands of County Election Board officials by 7 p.m. on Election Day to be counted.

 Jones said any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he/she is eligible to vote. However, a voter must be registered and reside at an address within the geographical boundaries of a school district or a municipality to be eligible to vote in school district or municipal elections. It is not necessary to give a reason for voting absentee.

 “While anyone can vote absentee without giving a reason, the law still provides several advantages to absentee voters in some categories,” Jones said.

 By stating one of the following reasons on their applications, absentee voters can activate special conditions that make it easier for them to use absentee ballots. The reasons are:

• Voters who are physically incapacitated and voters who care for physically incapacitated persons who cannot be left unattended may vote absentee. They may apply only by mail, by fax, by email, online or via an agent who is at least 16 years of age and who is not employed by or related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to any person whose name appears on the ballot.

 • Voters who are confined to nursing homes in the county may vote absentee. An Absentee Voting Board actually goes to the nursing home a few days before the election, sets up a small polling place and allows these persons to vote under circumstances similar to those at a regular precinct polling place. They may apply only by mail, by fax, by email, online or via an agent who is at least 16 years of age and who is not employed by or related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to any person whose name appears on the ballot.

• Military personnel and residents of the county living overseas and the spouses and dependents of each group are eligible receive absentee ballots. These voters may apply only by mail, fax, or by email. Military personnel should contact the Voting Service Officers in their units for application forms and additional information or visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website (www.fvap.gov/oklahoma) for more information and instructions. Residents of Oklahoma living overseas can obtain the same materials from any United States military installation and from United States Embassies and Consulates as well as on the FVAP website.

Trunk or Treat set for 31 October 2019 at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat, Oklahoma announced today that this year’s Trunk or Treat will be held on Thursday, 31 October 2019 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  Trunk or Treat offers games and gifts for all children, greetings of God loves you, and plenty of candy. 

Trunk or Treat also goes by the name of Love Ambush #2.  The church is called out of the world, set apart from the world (made holy is the term) and sent back into the world with good news of life in Jesus Christ.  Sometimes going out involves door-to-door visits, setting up during an event, and even using social media to reach people.

The most effective way to reach people is face-to-face.  While the world is celebrating that which is gruesome, grotesque, and sometimes just gaudy; the church has set an ambush that we believe many will walk into. 

A military ambush is designed to kill the enemy.  Our ambush is designed to help people move from death to life.  While people are out and about in their getups, they are invited to come to the games and events at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

We will tell your kids that God loves them.  We will tell parents that God loves them and that among the chief of their parenting duties is bringing up a child in the way he or she should go.  That means learning about God and how much he loves us through his Son, Jesus Christ.

Yes, there will be enough candy to keep your kids in cavities for years to come.  There will also be gospels and videos and other items to remind you that God loves you long after the candy is gone.

Most of all, we want to talk with you about God’s love.  The games and candy motivate the kids and adults to come.  Our motivation is that we want to share good news with you.

In this world where every statement is debated and ridiculed and where acrimony and vitriol are the social media standard, come and know these things to be true.  Know it first hand from other disciples.

God is good.

God loves you.

Jesus is Lord.

You can turn away from and leave behind a godless world for the Kingdom of the one true God.

Once you have done that, you will be compelled to share the good news whenever and wherever you are.  On the 31^st of this month, that just happens to be at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat, America.

Once you realize that you may have started your day conformed to the world, you may desire to live in response to the overwhelming grace and favor of God by his simple command that we love one another.

Candy is temporary.  The cutest kid’s costume is soon related to a photo that’s lost among the memes and diatribes of today’s media.  The world does not love you but God and his people do.  Let’s have a conversation about what’s important.

Your day might start out with costumes and pranks but we want it to end with saving grace and a desire to serve the Lord.  Let’s talk.  It will be the most important thing you do on the 31^st.

Many Thanks to All Who Made the Egg Hunt so Successful

How do you get 7,000 plastic eggs out of a grass field?  Turn a couple hundred kids loose on them, that’s how.  That is exactly what happened on Saturday, 20 April 2019 at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Burns Flat.  The church calls it Love Ambush #1.  It’s an Easter Egg Hunt with a twist.  The kids were ambushed by many people telling them that God loves them.  There were also plenty of prizes that helped send that message home.

Most of the candy and prizes were funded by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, but many in the community also gave generously and turned this into a community event.  Businesses and organizations that contributed were Walmart, Washita State Bank, Great Plains Bank, Burns Flat Hardware, MODA, Grets, Rudy’s, Pendleton’s, Monterey Restaurant, and Ace Hardware (Cordell). 

Other donations of money and in-kind donations were made by the following families:  Fleming, Price, Schneberger, Murray, Walker, Lovell, Hose, Thompson, Spence, Ferkins, Foust, McConiha, and Wascom.  A thank you is also due to many volunteers who worked many hours in preparation and worked the Saturday morning event.

What’s next for the CPC and its involvement with the community?  Chewy Tuesdays.  Beginning 4 June 2019, the church will deliver kid-friendly meals to children who will be home on Tuesday.  This is for every child in Burns Flat.  The parents just need to contact the church sometime during May.  There are no requirements to participate, but a conversation with the parents is needed to make sure that all food allergies are noted.  Deliveries may also be made to those who cannot get out on their own.  In any case, each meal is delivered with love and with a message of God’s love for us.

If you were wondering why this egg hunt is titled, Love Ambush #1, it’s because in the fall, there is Love Ambush #2, also known as Trunk or Treat.  There will be more on that at the end of the summer.

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is located at 205 State Highway 44.  The phone number is 562-4706.

Voter Registration Deadline is March 8, 2019

The following announcement comes from the Washita County Election Board.

Friday, March 8, is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the April 2, Municipal and School General Elections, Washita County Election Board Secretary Leah Jones said today.

            Jones said that persons who are United States citizens, residents of Oklahoma, and at least 18 years old may apply to become registered voters.

Those who aren’t registered or need to change their registration may apply by filling out and mailing an Oklahoma Voter Registration Application form in time for it to be postmarked no later than midnight Friday, March 8, 2019.

            Jones said applications postmarked after that time will be accepted and processed, but not until after April 2nd.

            The County Election Board responds in writing to every person who submits an application for voter registration.  The response is either a voter identification card listing the new voter's precinct number and polling place location or a letter that explains the reason or reasons the application for voter registration was not approved.  Jones said any person who has submitted a voter registration application and who has not received a response within 30 days should contact the County Election Board office.

            Oklahoma Voter Registration Application forms are available at the County Election Board office located at 111 E. Main, First Floor Courthouse, Cordell, OK, and at most post offices, tag agencies and public libraries in the county. Applications also are available at www.elections.ok.gov.