March 30 Is Deadline to Change Party Affiliation

Oklahomans who want to change their party affiliation before the primary or runoff primary elections later this year must do so no later than March 30 said Cindy Osborn, Sequoyah County Election Board secretary.

Changes of political affiliation are prohibited by law during the period beginning April 1 and continuing through Aug. 31 in even-numbered years, Osborn said.

Applications post-marked by Saturday, March 31, will be processed in time for the June Primary Election. Changes made in-person at the county election board must be submitted by March 30.

Each political party can nominate one candidate per office for the November General Election. If two or more candidates from the same party file for one office, the party nominee is selected at either the primary or runoff primary election.

Only voters registered in a political party can vote to select that party's nominees unless the party gives Independent voters permission to vote in its primaries. The Democratic Party has given Independent voters permission to vote in its primaries and runoff primaries in 2018 and 2019. Oklahoma has three recognized political parties in 2018: Democratic Party, Republican Party, and Libertarian Party. 

All registered voters, regardless of political affiliation, can vote for any candidate at the November General Election and for state or local questions at any election.

Applications to register to vote or to change political affiliation are available at the Sequoyah County Election Board office, 110 E. Creek Ave., Sallisaw, Ok. 74955, and at post offices, public libraries, state offices providing public assistance, and at most political party and candidate campaign offices.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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