Voters Should Apply Early for Absentee Ballots

Voters in Rogers County who want to have absentee ballots mailed to them for
the June 30 Collinsville, Inola, Oologah-Talala and Owasso School General and State and
County Primary Elections should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Julie
Dermody said today. Although the County Election Board can accept applications for
absentee ballots until 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 23 , Dermody urged voters who want to
vote by absentee ballot to apply early.
Absentee ballot application forms are available at the County Election Board
office located at 415 W 1st St . An online version of the form can be filled out and
submitted electronically at: rogerscountyelectionboard.org. A print form can also be
downloaded at that address.
Ballots must be in the hands of County Election Board officials by 7 p.m. on
Election Day to be counted.
Dermody said any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in any election in
which he/she is eligible to vote. However, a voter must be registered and reside at an
address within the geographical boundaries of a school district or a municipality to be
eligible to vote in school district or municipal elections. It is not necessary to give a
reason for voting absentee.
“While anyone can vote absentee without giving a reason, the law still provides
several advantages to absentee voters in some categories,” Dermody said.
By stating one of the following reasons on their applications, absentee voters can
activate special conditions that make it easier for them to use absentee ballots. The
reasons are:
• Voters who are physically incapacitated and voters who care for
physically incapacitated persons who cannot be left unattended may vote
absentee. They may apply only by mail, by fax, by email, online or via an

agent who is at least 16 years of age and who is not employed by or
related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to any person
whose name appears on the ballot.
• Voters who are confined to nursing homes in the county may vote
absentee. An Absentee Voting Board actually goes to the nursing home a
few days before the election, sets up a small polling place and allows these
persons to vote under circumstances similar to those at a regular precinct
polling place. They may apply only by mail, by fax, by email, online or
via an agent who is at least 16 years of age and who is not employed by or
related within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity to any person
whose name appears on the ballot..
• Military personnel and residents of the county living overseas and the
spouses and dependents of each group are eligible receive absentee
ballots. These voters may apply only by mail, fax, or by email. Military
personnel should contact the Voting Service Officers in their units for
application forms and additional information or visit the Federal Voting
Assistance Program website (www.fvap.gov/oklahoma) for more
information and instructions. Residents of Oklahoma living overseas can
obtain the same materials from any United States military installation and
from United States Embassies and Consulates as well as on the FVAP
website.