Standard Absentee Voters

A Standard Absentee Ballot is the most common type of absentee ballot requested by voters. No-excuse is needed to apply.

All registered voters in Oklahoma are eligible to apply for a Standard Absentee Ballot.

The easiest way to apply is online through the OK Voter Portal. You can also download and print an application form from the website, or contact your County Election Board to have an application mailed to any address.

You may apply for absentee ballots for one election, for several elections, or for all elections during the calendar year, in which the application is submitted.

State law requires voters to provide an identification number that matches the identification number on their voter registration record when applying for an absentee ballot.

Standard Absentee Ballot applications may be submitted to the appropriate County Election Board through the OK Voter Portal, by mail, fax, or email. The law also allows voters to submit an absentee ballot request by telegraph.

Absentee ballot requests must be received no later than 5 p.m. the third Monday (15 days) before the election.

Mailing dates vary from county to county. Please contact your County Election Board for questions about mailing.

You can verify whether or not your absentee ballot has been mailed using the OK Voter Portal. If you do not receive your absentee ballot, please contact your County Election Board to request a replacement or inquire about other voting options.

Your absentee ballot packet will include absentee ballots, as well as instructions for voting, preparing, and returning an absentee ballot.

Here is a checklist:

• Ballot(s)
• White “Secrecy” Envelope
• Yellow Affidavit Envelope
• Green Return Envelope
• Voting Instructions

Please inspect your packet carefully before voting. If you are missing a ballot, instructions, need a replacement or have questions regarding your packet, please contact your County Election Board directly for assistance.

Please read all instructions thoroughly before marking or returning your ballot. Absentee ballot laws are subject to change. Any changes to procedures will be noted in your absentee ballot packet.

Standard Absentee Ballot affidavits must be notarized, regardless of whether they are hand-delivered or mailed to the County Election Board.

For your convenience, many banks, credit unions, libraries, businesses and organizations offer free absentee ballot notary services to customers and non-customers alike. In Oklahoma, notaries may not charge a fee to notarize an absentee ballot affidavit.

Standard absentee voters must return their own absentee ballot to county election officials. It against the law to return another voter's standard absentee ballot.

You can return your absentee ballots to the County Election Board in person, by U.S. mail or by a private mail service that has delivery documentation, such as FedEx or UPS. First class postage is required for U.S. mail. (We recommend using your outer envelope as a guide to determine return postage.) Private mail delivery rates apply.

Hand-delivered ballots must be returned no later than the end of business hours on the day before the election, and the voter must show the same proof of identity required for in-person voting.

Absentee ballots returned by mail or private delivery service must be received by the County Election Board by 7 p.m. (CST) on Election Day to be counted.

Please consider the distance your absentee ballot must travel and allow sufficient time for your absentee ballot to be received by the County Election Board. The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing absentee ballots at least one week prior to the due date.

The OK Voter Portal provides information on your absentee ballot.

• You can see when your absentee ballot was sent.
• You can see when your absentee ballot is received by the County Election Board.

If your absentee ballot was rejected, you will receive a letter from the County Election Board following the election. The letter will explain why your ballot could not be counted.

NOTE: The OK Voter Portal is a voter information system only, it does not “count” ballots or “tally” votes.