Voting Laws Explained

Cindy Osborn, Sequoyah County Election Board secretary, this week told voters, candidates, campaign officials and volunteers to be aware of, and careful not to violate, state election laws in Tuesday's annual school election and Sallisaw municipal general election. Osborn said that all known election law violations will be reported to the proper law enforcement authorities, usually the county sheriff and district attorney. Osborn said, "Our precinct officials are going to be watching closely on election day for illegal electioneering by candidates, zealous campaign staff and their volunteers. It's unlawful in Sequoyah County and across the state to electioneer within 300 feet of a ballot box." She explained to electioneer means to work for or against election of a particular candidate, political party, or issue. "This includes the illegal placement of any campaign signs inside the 300-foot boundary limit away from the ballot box," Osborn said. She added that election law violations sometimes committed accidentally by voters include disclosing how one voted while within the election enclosure or removing a ballot from the polling place. Other violations include taking a ballot into or out of the polling place or taking intoxicating liquors within half a mile of a polling location. It is unlawful for any person to disclose how he or she voted to any person while inside the election enclosure. Osborn said it is also against the law for anyone other than voters waiting in line to vote and for precinct or other election officials to be within 50 feet of a ballot box during the election. For more information on Oklahoma elections visit www.elections.ok.gov.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

For more news stories stay tuned to The MIX 105.1 or visit www.kxmx.com