Voters in Mayes County who want to have absentee ballots mailed to them for the Nov. 6 General Election, should apply now. Although the Election Board will accept applications for absentee ballots until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, voters are urged to apply early.

Absentee ballot application forms are available at the Election Board Office located on the first floor of the Mayes County Courthouse. The absentee ballot application forms may also be downloaded and printed from the Internet at www.elections.ok.gov.

The County Election Board must mail the ballots to the voter and the voter must return the voted ballots by mail. Ballots must be in the hands of the Election Board by 7 p.m. on election day in order to be counted.

Any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he or she is eligible to vote. It is not necessary to provide a reason — or excuse — for voting absentee. While anyone can vote absentee without an excuse, the law provides several options for the advantage of some voters. By stating one of the following reasons on their applications, these voters can activate some 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 by mail or by fax.

Voters who are confined to nursing homes may vote absentee.  An Absentee Voting Board actually goes to the nursing home a few days before the election to allow these persons to vote. They may apply by mail or by fax.

Military personnel and residents living overseas and the spouses and dependents of each group are eligible to vote absentee without being registered. These voters may apply by mail, e-mail, or by fax. Military personnel should contact the Voting Service Officer in their unit for application forms and additional information. Residents of Oklahoma living overseas may obtain the same materials from any United States military installation.

 and from United States Embassies and Consulates. Military personnel and overseas citizens may also download and print the appropriate application form from the Internet at www.fvap.gov

For more information about absentee voting in Mayes County, contact the Election Board Office at (918) 825-1826.