Skip to content
NOWCAST KOCO 6:30am-7am Weekday Morning
Watch on Demand
Advertisement

Renewing COVID-19 state of emergency, Stitt allows absentee votes without notarization for November election

Renewing COVID-19 state of emergency, Stitt allows absentee votes without notarization for November election
DILLON: ONE OF THE BIG CHANGES WILL, DOES ABSENTEE ENVELOPE. THEY WILL BE HERE TO TRACK. ELECTION OFFICIALS SAY THAT WAS RECOMMENDED TO THEM BY POSTAL OFFICIALS. AND IT COMES AMID A WASHINGTON POST REPORT THAT 46 STATES INCLUDING OKLAHOMA, GOT A HEIGHTENED WARNING THAT THE POSTAL SERVICE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DELIVER BALLOTS ON TIME, BECAUSE OF TIGHT DEADLINES. IN OKLAHOMA, YOU CAN REQUEST AS LATE AS WEEK BEFORE THE ELECTION BUT IT NEEDS TO GET TO THE ELECTION BOARD BY THE TIME THE POLLS CLOSE ON ELECTION DAY. OFFICIALS NOW RECOMMENDING YOU REQUEST AND RETURN YOUR BALLOT MUCH FARTHER IN ADVANCE. IF YOU HAVE A STANDARD ABSENTEE BALLOT, YOU CAN ALSO DROP IT OFF AT YOUR COUNTY ELECTION BOARD BUT YOU CAN’T DROP OFF ANYONE ELSE’S BALLOT ELECTIONS SECRETARY PAUL ZIRIAX SAYING HE’S CONFIDENT IN LOCAL ELECTION BOARDS ALSO ADDING THAT VOTER FRAUD THROUGH ABSENTEE BALLOTS IS RARE IN OKLAHOMA. >> I THINK WITH OUR CHAIN OF CUSTODY LAWS IN PLACE, I THINK WITH OUR VERIFICATION LAWS IN PLACE, IT MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT AND THESE HAVE BEEN DEVELOPED OVER MANY, MANY DECADES. DILLON: WE ARE ALL THINKING ABOUT THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. THERE IS A ONE-OFF ELECTION NEXT WEEK. THE DEADLINE IS CLOSE OF BUSINESS TOMORROW.
Advertisement
Renewing COVID-19 state of emergency, Stitt allows absentee votes without notarization for November election
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday issued an executive order to extend the state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic. “The health crisis still exists, and still needs to be addressed in various ways by executive order,” the document states.Stitt said in the executive order that it is important to continue to take measures to protect Oklahomans against the threat. Click here to read details of the executive order. Because the executive order will still be in effect within 45 days of the Nov. 3 general election, Stitt said it will trigger the provisions provided under Senate Bill 210 allowing absentee voters to verify their identity by attaching a copy of an approved identification document to their affidavit envelope, instead of having their signature notarized or witnessed by two people.

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Friday issued an executive order to extend the state of emergency related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The health crisis still exists, and still needs to be addressed in various ways by executive order,” the document states.

Advertisement

Stitt said in the executive order that it is important to continue to take measures to protect Oklahomans against the threat. Click here to read details of the executive order.

Because the executive order will still be in effect within 45 days of the Nov. 3 general election, Stitt said it will trigger the provisions provided under Senate Bill 210 allowing absentee voters to verify their identity by attaching a copy of an approved identification document to their affidavit envelope, instead of having their signature notarized or witnessed by two people.