Fallin Signs Absentee Ballot Access Measure

Legislation signed by Governor Fallin will help individuals who are not physically able to travel to the county election board send a person in their place to make an application for an absentee ballot.

Senate Bill 276, by Senator Randy Bass and Rep. Joe Dorman, requires the person sent to make an application for an absentee ballot to be at least 16 years of age and only do so for one voter. It took immediate effect upon being signed into law.

“I have had constituents who have talked to us about problems elderly and disabled Oklahomans have had with voting and I wanted to improve the absentee ballot application process for them to ensure their vote is counted,” said Bass, D-Lawton. “This bill limits a single individual to one absentee ballot application on behalf of another person to make sure it is not a vehicle for voter fraud. I was pleased to see it signed into law.”

“We had an primary election in 2012 with very low turnout in some Western Oklahoma districts and I want to ensure that low turnout isn’t made worse because certain members of the community are unable to get out to vote,” said Dorman, D-Rush Springs. “This legislation improves the absentee ballot application process so that individuals who are confined to their home for one reason or another can still have their vote counted.”

 


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