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Oklahoma Regulations § 230:30-9-8 Processing first responder/emergency worker emergency absentee applications, issuing ballots, and receiving voted ballots

⤴ Up to Subchapter 9: Processing Applications

Regulation Text

(a) Who may apply. First responders and emergency workers who are deployed to assist with rescue, recovery, and/or relief efforts in the wake of a declared natural disaster or a declared state of emergency within ten days after the deadline to request an absentee ballot as provided in 26 O.S. Section 14-103 may apply for an emergency absentee ballot. Such requests from first responders and emergency workers may be received and processed up to and even on election day, as long as the voted ballot is received by the County Election Board no later than 7 p.m. on election day.
(b) Processing emergency absentee ballot applications and issuing ballots. When a first responder or emergency worker is deployed within ten days after the deadline to request an absentee ballot as provided in 26 O.S. Section 14-103 to assist with rescue, recovery, and/or relief efforts in the wake of a declared natural disaster or a declared state of emergency and requests an emergency absentee ballot, the Secretary of the County Election Board shall ensure the following procedure is observed.
(1) Give the voter a copy of the Application for Emergency Absentee Ballot - First Responders and Emergency Workers form. The form may be emailed or faxed to the voter or a copy may be printed in your office and given to the voter.
(2) Tell the voter to fill out the form and to provide all the requested information. The form must be signed and dated by the voter. Ask to see the voter's proof of identity. See 230:35-3-140 and 230:35-3-141 .
(3) Upon receipt of the voter's completed and signed application, enter the application in MESA.
(4) Issue the appropriate absentee ballot or ballots and a standard/yellow absentee ballot packet and instructions to the voter. Make a notation on the outer envelope that this is an emergency absentee ballot.
(5) Tell the voter to fill out the affidavit envelope and to have his/her signature on the affidavit notarized. County Election Board personnel may not notarize the affidavit.
(6) Tell the voter that his or her voted ballot must be received by the County Election Board by 7 p.m. on the day of the election in order to be counted.
(c) Returning voted emergency absentee ballots to the County Election Board. First responders and emergency workers who apply for emergency absentee ballots as outlined in (a) and (b) of this Section have the options listed below for returning their voted absentee ballots to the County Election Board. The absentee ballot affidavit must be signed and notarized and must be sealed inside the appropriate absentee envelopes.
(1) The voter may return the voted ballot to the County Election Board office in person. If the voter returns his or her emergency absentee ballot in person, ask to see the voter's proof of identity.
(2) The voter may return the voted ballot by United States mail (including by USPS Express MailT).
(3) The voter may return the voted ballot by a private delivery services (such as FedExT) that provides delivery documentation.
(d) Receiving voter emergency absentee ballots. Upon receipt of an emergency absentee ballot in-person from the voter or by mail, follow the steps outlined below.
(1) Make the following notation on the outer envelope. "Emergency Absentee Ballot from First Responder/Emergency Worker received on (DATE) at (TIME)." Also note whether the ballot was received in person from the voter, by mail, or by private delivery service.
(2) Give the emergency voter credit for voting in MESA.
(3) Place the voted ballot, sealed inside the appropriate envelopes, in the absentee ballot box.

History

Adopted by Oklahoma Register, Volume 36, Issue 24, September 3, 2019 , eff. 9/16/2019

Amended by Oklahoma Register, Volume 40, Issue 19, July 3, 2023 , eff. 8/11/2023

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