Voter registration applications may be submitted at any time. However, a valid application must be received at a motor license agency or a designated voter registration agency, or postmarked (if submitted by mail), more than than 24 days prior to an election in order for the applicant to participate in that election.
How to Register
A person who is eligible to register to vote must be:
- at least 18 years old
- a United States citizen
- a resident of Oklahoma
However, a person who has been
- convicted of a felony may not register until a period of time equal to the original judgment and sentence has expired
- adjudged to be an incapacitated person may not register
- adjudged to be a partially incapacitated person prohibited from voting may not register
Changing Your Registration
If you need to change your address, name, or political affiliation
- You must fill out another voter registration application form to change your voter registration
- You may change your registration at any time with one exception. You may not change your political affiliation during the period from June 1 through August 31, inclusive, in any even-numbered year. The last day on which you may change your political affiliation before the closed period is May 31; the first day on which you may change your political affiliation after the closed period is September 1.
Submitting Your Registration
You may mail your voter registration application to the State Election Board. The card is already addressed, but you must add a first-class postage stamp. If you fill out your voter registration application form at a tag agency when you get your driver’s license or when you apply for assistance at a government agency, the agency will mail the form to the State Election Board for you.
Voter Identification Card
You do not become a registered voter until the county election board in the county where you reside has approved your application. When your application is approved, the county election board will mail a voter identification card to you. Your voter identification card lists your name, address, political affiliation and the polling place for your voting precinct. When you receive your voter identification card, look at it carefully and report any errors to the county election board immediately. Keep your voter identification card in a safe place and always take it with you when you go to vote.
If your voter registration application cannot be approved, you will receive a letter from the county election board. The letter will tell you why your application was not approved and explain the steps you need to take to become registered. You may be able to return the letter with some additional information, or you may need to fill out and send in another voter registration application form.
Closed Primary System
Oklahoma has a closed primary system. Only voters who are registered members of a recognized political party may vote for the party’s candidates in primary and runoff primary elections. Registered Independent voters may be eligible to vote in party’s primaries and runoff primaries if authorized by the party.
However, nonpartisan judicial offices, state questions and county questions often are included in primary elections. All registered voters, including Independents, are entitled to receive those ballots. At general elections, all voters receive the same ballot and may vote for any candidate or question on the ballot.
Cancelled Registration
In most cases, voter registration is permanent. However, some voter registrations are canceled. The county election board may cancel a registration:
- if the voter dies
- if the voter is convicted of a felony
- If the voter is adjudged to be an incapacitated person
- if the voter moves and registers again in another county or in another state
- if the voter asks the county election board in a written, notarized statement to cancel the registration
- if the voter does not respond to correspondence from the county election board and does not vote for more than four years
When to Register
You may submit your voter registration application form at any time. However, voter identification cards cannot be issued during the 24 days prior to an election. If your registration application is received by the county election board during the 24 days before an election, you will not receive your voter identification card until after the election.
If you will become 18 during the 60 days before an election, you may apply for voter registration between 25 and 60 days before the election.
Additional Information
For additional information about voting in Oklahoma, contact your local county election board or the State Election Board.
Oklahoma State Election Board
PO Box 53156
Oklahoma City, OK 73152
405-521-2391