Election Laws Reviewed for Tuesday Vote

A Gore Special Municipal Election will be held Tuesday on a one-cent sales tax. If approved the tax will be dedicated to the maintenance of Gore streets and alleys and to the police and fire departments.

Cindy Osborn, Sequoyah County Election Board secretary, told voters, candidates, campaign officials and volunteers to be aware of, and careful to not violate, state election laws in the election.

Osborn said that all known election law violations will be reported to the proper law enforcement authorities, usually the sheriff and district attorney.

"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," Osborn said.

To electioneer means to work for or against the election of a particular candidate, political party or issue.

Osborn said, "This includes the illegal placement of any campaign signs inside the 300 foot boundary limit away from the ballot box."

Osborn said 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 by voters include taking a ballot into or out of the polling place or taking intoxicating liquors within half a mile of a polling place. It is unlawful for any person to disclose how he or she voted to any person while inside the election enclosure Osborn said. It also is 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.

Citizens can find these and other state election laws in Title 26 of the Oklahoma statutes. For more information visit www.elections.ok.gov.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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