Deadline to change party affiliation is coming up

Oklahomans who want to elect the nominee of a political party in the primary or runoff primary elections later this year need to be registered in that party no later than March 31.

Changes of political affiliation are prohibited by law between April 1 and Aug. 31 in even-numbered years, Cheryl Howard, Kay County Election Board Secretary said.

Each political party can nominate one candidate per office for the November General Election.

If two or more candidates from the same party file for one office, the party nominee is selected at either the primary or runoff primary election.

Only voters registered in a political party can vote to select that party’s nominees.

Voters not registered in a party cannot vote for party candidates in primary elections.

Oklahoma recognizes two political parties in 2014, Democrat and Republican.

All registered voters, regardless of political affiliation, can vote for any candidate at the November general election and for state or local questions at any election.

Applications to register to vote or to change political affiliation are available at the Kay County Election Board office at 201 S. Main Street, Courthouse Basement, Newkirk, OK, post offices, public libraries, state offices providing public assistance and at most political party and candidate campaign offices.