As election day nears, it's now up to voters

The 2018 elections will soon be over as the voters go to the polls next Tuesday to vote from everything from local government representatives to governor to state amendments.

Voters in northern Stephens County will decide who will represent them as the District 1 County Commissioner. E.R. Butch Graham (D) and Kreg Murphree (R) will be the choices for voters.

Murphree survived a primary and a primary run-off, beating out three other contenders to secure the Republican nomination. Graham did not have a primary opponent.

On his Facebook county commissioner election page, Graham said he has the tools and the experience to go in and hit the ground running.

“I have made this campaign about qualifications and understanding of the Office of County Commissioner, I truly believe that no one ever elected to this office ever went in on Day 1 more experienced and more prepared for the responsibilities than I bring,” Graham said. “I have through this campaign told you of my experience in county government, I have laid out my worldwide business experiences and the mature leadership ability that our courthouse so desperately needs right now.”

On his Facebook page, Murphree said change was needed.

“Stephens County is at a crossroads where we need a new kind of leadership, not the status quo,” Murphree said. “We need someone who can lead in a positive direction, try different things, and embrace the future. I want to make our county a place where my children and grandchildren can prosper and reside safely.”

Stephens County Election Board Secretary Angela Dunagan asked for voters to keep the following in mind as the election approaches.

 Early voting is available at the Stephens County Courthouse on Thursday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 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 Stephens County may use the audio-tactile interface (ATI), a feature offered on all Oklahoma voting devices, to vote privately and independently, either at Stephens 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 October 30 still can request an emergency absentee ballot. Those who might qualify for an emergency absentee ballot should contact the County Election Board office at 580-255-8782 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.