Comanche County urges residents to exercise their voice and register to vote
LAWTON, Okla. (KSWO) - The deadline for Oklahomans to register to vote in the November 8th general election is just a few weeks away, on October 14th.
Residents who register to vote in the November election will be able to cast their ballot for Oklahoma Governor, Superintendent, district judges, and several other races. Registration also gives them the ability to change their party, if their opinions have shifted over the past few years.
Comanche County Election Board Secretary Amy Sims said exercising your right to vote is exercising your voice.
“It’s your voice, if you don’t vote then you’re giving your vote to somebody else to make that decision for you,” Sims said.
You can register to vote by filling out the application and either mailing it or bringing it in person to the Comanche County Courthouse. Once it’s complete, the election board will send a card to your home.
Residents whose 18th birthday falls close to the cut-off date should still register because as long as they’re 18 by election day they will be able to vote.
“They can be 17 and a half whenever they register. They still have to register before the cut-off on October 14th. But after they turn 18, before the election, we will mail them a card and they’ll be able to vote,” Sims said.
Things have changed this year. Oklahoma has also added an extra date for early voting.
“The general election it’s a new law, that it is Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. We added a day,” Sims said.
Wednesday, November 2, 8 AM - 6 PM (EXTRA DAY)
Thursday, November 3, 8 AM - 6 PM
Friday, November 4, 8 AM - 6 PM
Saturday, November 5, 8 AM - 2 PM (NEW HOURS)
Comanche County will have 40 locations for registered voters to vote.
According to the Oklahoma State Election Board, residents are eligible to register if they are a citizen of the United States, a resident of the State of Oklahoma, and at least 18 years old or meet the age requirement to pre-register.
If a person has been convicted of a felony, they may only register to vote if they have fully served their sentence of court-mandated calendar days, including any term of incarceration, parole or supervision, or completed a period of probation ordered by any court. A convicted felon who has been pardoned may also register.
Lastly, any resident deemed by a judge to be incapacitated may not register.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is October 24th.
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