Ballot Status
“How do I know my vote was counted?”
This is a valid question and one that many voters ask. It is first important to understand the point at which a ballot is “counted.”
Ballots cast in-person are “counted” when the voter inserts his or her marked ballot into the voting device. The precinct-based ballot scanner reads the ballot and the device indicates that the ballot was accepted.
If a ballot cannot be accepted, the device will immediately reject the ballot and the voter will have the opportunity to insert the ballot into the device again or “spoil” the ballot and request a new ballot from poll workers.
Emergency Bin
In the event of an emergency, such as a power outage or technical issue, ballots are deposited into a secure emergency bin located within the ballot box. Ballots will be counted by poll workers when the issue is resolved or when the polls close.
Ballots are transferred to the County Election Board through a strict chain of custody that is maintained until the time the election is certified.
Absentee Voting
Absentee ballots received by the County Election Board are secured in a locked box which cannot be opened except during a public meeting of the bipartisan County Election Board.
During the public meeting, absentee ballot affidavits are examined and verified. Ballots that have been properly verified will be counted.
All absentee ballots received by the statutory deadline, that are accompanied by properly executed affidavits and can legally be counted, will be counted.
If a ballot cannot be counted, the voter will be mailed a letter explaining the reason for rejection. Voters can also confirm whether or not their ballot was counted using the OK Voter Portal.
Provisional Voting
Any voter whose name does not appear in the precinct registry, does not show a valid ID, or believes an error has been made regarding his or her party affiliation (for a primary election or subsequent runoff), or for other reasons allowed by law, may cast a provisional ballot.
Provisional ballots cast by voters who meet the requirements of 26 O.S. § 14.121 will also be counted.
All provisional ballots that can legally be counted, will be counted.
If a ballot cannot be counted, the voter will be mailed a letter (following the election) explaining the reason for rejection. Voters can also confirm whether or not their provisional ballot was counted using the OK Voter Portal.
