The Custer County Election Board (CCEB) has said polling place workers in Oklahoma, typically of the retired population, will be protected during the June 30 election.
Official COVID-19 safety precautions for polling place workers and voters have not yet been released from the Oklahoma State Election Board. However, CCEB Clerk Jentry Spitz they will be soon.
Polling place inspectors in Oklahoma are paid $97 per election, and additional workers are paid $87 per election. Spitz said they have had a “really good response” from their veteran polling place workers in light of the pandemic. She also said anyone who is interested in working at the polls can call their office at (580) 323-5124 to sign up to be trained.
In other news, Senate Bill 210 recently was signed into law to allow the voice of Oklahoma voters to be heard during the COVID-19 pandemic.
SB 210 allows Oklahomans to vote absentee without having a notary or witnesses to verify their signature. Individuals within a certain population simply can mail their signed absentee ballot with a copy of a photo ID issued by the United States, State of Oklahoma, a federally recognized Native American tribe, a branch of the U.S. Armed Forces or the voter ID card which is mailed to voters upon registration.
Only those who fall within the following categories can vote absentee in accordance with SB 210: those who have tested positive for COVID-19, those awaiting COVID-19 test results, those who have COVID-19 symptoms and have been advised to self-quarantine by a physician, those who are considered “high risk” and those who have received written recommendation from their physician to practice safer-at-home measures.
All other individuals who wish to vote absentee must have their ballot signature notarized or witnessed by two other people.
Residents in Custer County have several elections approaching June 30.
Weatherford
Penny sales tax
Custer County
District 2 County Commissioner
Custer County Sheriff
State of Oklahoma
United States Senator
State Question 802 — Medicaid Expansion
The deadline to register to vote for the June 30 election is June 5. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. June 23. Early voting will be 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 25-26 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 27.
Those individuals who requested an absentee ballot for the penny sales tax election for the City of Weatherford when it was scheduled for April 7 will need to request a new absentee ballot for the election rescheduled for June 30.
Individuals can apply for an absentee ballot online at www.ok.gov/elections/Voter_Info/Absentee_Voting/ or request one by mail.
Custer County Election Board Chief Clerk Aleta Bowman said there will not be a confirmation notice sent to absentee voters once their ballot is received.
For more information about absentee voting during COVID-19, visit the above listed website or call the Custer County Election Board at (580) 323-5124.