Deadlines approaching to register to vote in Oklahoma general elections, request absentee ballots

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahomans have until Friday to complete their voter registration for the Nov. 3 general elections if they haven’t yet done so.

The same deadline applies to anyone needing to update their registration with a different name or address.

Those seeking to register to vote for the first time or update their registration can do so online through the Oklahoma Voter Portal or in person at their county election board.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Oct. 19. A county election board must receive a voter’s mailed absentee ballot by 7 p.m. on election night for it to count. Any hand-delivered absentee ballots must arrive at the voter’s county election board by close of business on the Monday before the election.

A blackout period on switching political parties, which ran from April 1 to Aug. 31, is now over, meaning registered voters can also change their party affiliation.

The Nov. 3 General Elections are open to voters of any party, as well as independents.

These elections will decide Oklahoma’s next governor, U.S. senator, U.S. representatives, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state superintendent, state treasurer, and commissioners of labor, insurance and corporation.

Depending on where they live, Oklahomans’ ballots could include a state House or Senate race and county elections. Voters must decide on Nov. 3 whether to keep sitting Oklahoma Supreme Court justices and state appeals court judges in office.

Two state questions will appear on all ballots. 

State Question 845 would change rules for making appointments to the Judicial Nominating Commission. 

State Question 847 will reduce how much a property’s assessed value can increase each year, impacting property tax rates.

Early voting runs from Oct. 28-31. Polls are open on Nov. 3 from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.