Deadline to change party affiliation approaches

Deadline to change party affiliation approaches.

Oklahomans who want to change their party affiliation must submit their change by March 31, according to LeFlore County Election Board Secretary Kayla Rees.

Voters may change their party affiliation online using the OK Voter Portal at Oklahoma/gov/elections/ovp or by completing a new voter registration application.

Rees said no party changes are allowed from April 1 through Aug. 31 during an even-numbered year.

“If we receive your request after March 31, we are required by law to hold that request and process in it September,” Rees said.

Oklahoma’s three recognized parties are Democratic, Republic and Libertarian.

In Oklahoma, voters must be a registered member of a party in order to vote in that party’s primary election. Independents are permitted to participate in a primary election, only if a party officially requests its elections be opened to independent voters. Currently, only the Democratic Party allows Independents to vote in its primary elections.

All register voters, regardless of political affiliations, can vote for any candidate during a general election.

Voter registration applications can be downloaded from the state election board website at Oklahoma.gov/elections. Applications are also available at the LeFlore County Election Board at 103 North Church in Poteau. Office hours are from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For more information, call (918) 647-3701 or email leflorecounty@elections.ok.gov.