Published: June 29, 2008 11:48 pm            

Voter registration deadline Thursday

Thursday is the last day to apply for voter registration in order to be eligible to vote in the July 29 state and county primary election, Cleveland County Election Board Secretary Paula G. Roberts has announced.

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

Persons who have never been registered to vote or who are not registered in the county of their residence, as well as those who need to change their registration information may apply by filling out and mailing an Oklahoma Voter Registration Application form in time for it to be postmarked no later than midnight Thursday. Applications postmarked after that time will be accepted and processed, but will not be approved until after July 29, Roberts said.

Voters may not change their political affiliation at this time. In even-numbered years, political affiliation changes will not process between June 1 and Aug. 31. Any request to change political affiliation made to the Election Board during that period will not process until Sept. 1.

The County Election Board will respond in writing to each person who submits an application for voter registration. The response will be either a Voter Identification Card listing the new voter’s precinct number and polling place or a letter that explains why the application was not approved. Roberts said anyone who has submitted a voter registration application and who has not received a response within 30 days should contact the County Election Board Office.

Application forms are available at the County Election Board office, at 122 S. Peters Ave. in Norman, and at all tag agencies, post offices and public libraries in the county. Applications also are available on the Internet at www.elections.state.ok.us.

Polling place locator

State Election Board Secretary Michael Clingman recently announced the launch of a new polling place locator feature on the State Election Board’s Web site, www.elections.state.ok.us in the “Frequently Asked Questions” section and also in the “Voter Registration” section.

Registered voters enter their last name, date of birth and Zip Code and the locator produces a list of possible matches. The voter selects his or her name from the list and receives the name and address of the assigned polling place as well as a list of his or her Congressional, State Senate, State House and County Commissioner districts.

If the locator is unable to match the voter’s information, the voter should call his or her local County Election Board office directly. The locator also provides the appropriate contact information.

“The polling place locator is a great tool for Oklahoma voters who just need to verify their correct place to vote on election day,” Clingman said. “Voters can access the polling place locator from any computer connected to the Internet at any time, including on election day when it is difficult to reach the local County Election Board office by telephone.”

        

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