Understanding the OK Voter Portal

Oklahoma Representative John Talley-District 33.

By Rep. John Talley

Election Day is right around the corner! This week, I want to explain how to preview your ballot, find early voting times, and provide a brief explanation of the state questions and various races that may be on your ballot.

You can find a lot of information by using the online Oklahoma Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp. There, you can request an absentee ballot, view your sample ballot and confirm your polling place.

Anyone wishing to vote by mail in the November 5 general election must request an absentee ballot by October 21 at 5 p.m. Ensure absentee ballots are notarized before mailing them in.

You will also have multiple options to vote early. Visit oklahoma.gov/elections/voters/early-voting to find the options near you. Since this is a presidential election year, there is at least one extra early voting site in each county and early voting is extended to the Wednesday before the election.

Of course, you can always vote at your polling place on Election Day from 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

However, before you go to the polls, I highly recommend visiting the Oklahoma Voter Portal to find your polling place! It may have changed, which is important to know before you drive and stand in line, especially if you’re planning to vote after work on Election Day.

Additionally, I encourage you to view your sample ballot online to see what else you may be voting on. The voter portal has a section titled “Upcoming Elections and Sample Ballots,” where you will be able to view your sample ballot. Viewing it beforehand will give you plenty of time to review candidates, read the full text of state questions and do your research before voting.

The November 5 election will include many offices besides just the race for president. Your ballot will likely have two sides simply because of the number of races and people on it, and you may receive a second ballot for municipal issues as well. This year, all Oklahomans will also have the chance to vote for their next corporation commissioner.

Additionally, Oklahomans can vote on whether or not to retain three state Supreme Court justices, three judges on the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals, and three judges on the Oklahoma Court of Civil Appeals.

There are also two state questions on the ballot this year. Both of these originated as legislative referendums, which means the Legislature passed joint resolutions to send these to Oklahomans for a vote.

State Question 833 seeks to authorize cities to create new public infrastructure districts with the authority to issue bonds for improvements like roads, sidewalks, parks, and other infrastructure. All the property owners within the district must agree, and the district will be limited to issuing bonds for such improvements not exceeding 10 mills.

If SQ833 passes, it won’t take effect until at least next year because lawmakers plan to fill in details with statutory guidelines during the upcoming session, which begins Feb. 3.

The second state question, State Question 834, amends one word in the Oklahoma Constitution. Article 3, Section 1 currently reads that “all citizens of the United States, over the age of eighteen (18) years, who are bona fide residents of this state, are qualified electors of this state.” SQ834 seeks to change the word “all” to the word “only.”

As with any state question, these need only a simple majority to pass. I encourage you to read the full text of these proposals and review trustworthy sources explaining what effects a “yes” or “no” vote may have.

The Oklahoma State Election Board’s website, oklahoma.gov/elections, has a ton of information. If you have any additional questions, please call your county election board for assistance.

Thank you for the honor of representing House District 33 at the State Capitol!

Rep. John Talley, a Republican, serves District 33 in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, which covers Logan and Payne Counties.