Information on Voting in Oklahoma in Light of New Rules

If you're an Oklahoma voter who plans on voting in the 2012 Presidential Election, the state has enacted new rules that will directly effect you and your ability to vote. While Oklahoma's new voter law isn't that different from that of other states, here's what you need to know to make voting day as smooth as possible:

1. If you vote at the polls, you will be required to show a government issued photo ID before you will be allowed to cast your ballot. However, and some poll workers may not know this, your official voter registration card will also suffice in the absence of a photo ID.  If you do not have either of those documents, you will be allowed to cast a provisional ballot.
   
2. Voters wishing to cast absentee ballots will need to file an application with their county election board by 5:00pm on October 31st. They will then mail you an absentee ballot and ballot envelope. You will be required to have your ballot notarized and mail it back by the November 6th election.
   
   
3. Early voting will happen early in the month of November. Call your county election board for early voting polling locations. They will probably be different from your official polling place.

We've received a few emails concerning the ballot notarization requirement for absentee ballots. According to Bryan Newell with the ACLU of Oklahoma, notaries are prohibited from charging to notarize an absentee ballot. However, some notaries may still try to charge. If they do, you can argue with them or find another notary who knows the rules.

Also, if you cast a provisional ballot, make sure that the information you place on the ballot exactly matches what is on your voter registration card. If it doesn't, your ballot may be discarded and not counted.

If you experience any problems on voting day and believe your rights have been violated, we suggest you contact the ACLU of Oklahoma and talk to them. They can be reached online at www.acluok.org or by phone at (405) 524-8511.