By Madi Alexander, Web Editor
As Election Day draws closer, it is important that students know their rights at the ballot box and are aware of how to vote if they are unable to make it to their polling location on Election Day.
Voting laws and rights can be complicated, but you don’t have to get bogged down in semantics. These rights are important and may be the difference between votes being counted or not.
Here a few of the rights guaranteed to U.S. citizens on Election Day:
1. Identification
In Oklahoma, voters are now required to show identification to vote at their polling place or during early voting. Identification documents must contain the name of the person to whom it was issued, a photograph of the person to whom it was issued and an expiration date that is after the date of the election. An Oklahoma driver’s license, passport or military identification is acceptable identification. A voter ID card is also acceptable, even though it does not include a photograph or expiration date. Student IDs are not acceptable identification.
2. Provisional ballot
A provisional ballot is used when a voter’s name does not appear on the list, there are no more ballots or the voter lacks appropriate identification. Provisional ballots allow voters to cast their votes to be counted after election officials verify eligibility. Voters cannot be denied a provisional ballot.
3. Assistance
Voters have the right to bring someone to the polls for assistance reading or filling out the ballot. Voters also have the right to request assistance from a poll worker.
4. Mistakes
Voters have the right to request a new ballot if a mistake is made.
5. Long lines
Polls close at 7 p.m. If voters are in line by this time, poll workers must allow them to cast their vote.
6. Privacy
Voters have the right to vote in secret and without being intimidated. No one has the right to see your vote.
In Oklahoma, any registered voter also has the right to vote absentee. Each state has its own requirement for absentee voting eligibility. Absentee ballots in Oklahoma for the presidential election must be requested by 5 p.m. Oct. 31.
For information on requesting an absentee ballot, click here.
