The deadline for registering to vote in two upcoming elections in Seminole County is less than two weeks away.

Friday, Jan. 16 is the last day to apply for voter registration to be eligible to vote in the Feb. 10 Seminole City Council and City of Wewoka mayoral elections, County Election Board Secretary Amy Baker said Monday.

In Seminole’s Ward Three, incumbent Jeff Nance will face George Gates for the city council seat. Only registered voters who reside in Ward Three may vote. A ward map is available on the city’s website (seminole-oklahoma. net). In Wewoka, Ann Hastings, Keith Kincade and Cheryl Legg are vying for the mayoral position.

Baker also announced a precinct change in Wewoka. Voters in Precinct 670034 formerly voted at the Wewoka Civic Center, 123 S. Mekusukey. Effective immediately, the new polling place will be New Life Church, 121 W. 12th Street. The first election held at the new location will be on Feb. 10. The polling location was moved due to space and availability, according to Baker.

Baker said that persons who are United States Citizens, residents of Oklahoma, and at least 17 ½ years old are eligible to apply for voter registration. However, you must be at least 18 years old to vote.

Applications must be received by the County Election Board or postmarked no later than midnight, Jan. 16. Applications postmarked after that time will be accepted, but will not be processed until after the Feb. 10 Election. Applications may also be submitted to any motor vehicle agency that is also an official voter registration agency by the submission deadline.

Applicants will be notified in writing when their application has been processed. Approved voters will receive a voter identification card in the mail. Some may receive a letter that explains the reason or reasons the application was not approved. Baker said those who do not receive a response within 30 days of submitting their application should contact the County Election Board office immediately.

The Seminole County Election Board reminds voters that applications must be approved by the County Election Board Secretary to be eligible to vote.

Registered voters who have moved to Seminole County from a different county or state will need to complete a new voter registration application to be eligible for elections in Seminole County. If you have moved within the county and need to update your address, you may make changes online using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/elections/ ovp or complete a Voter Registration Application.

Voter registration applications can be downloaded from the State Election Board website at oklahoma. gov/elections. You may also complete a form at the County Election Board. Most post offices, tag agencies, and public libraries have applications available upon request.

Absentee Ballots Voters in Seminole County who want absentee ballots mailed to them for elections in 2026 should apply now, Baker said.

Any registered voter may request absentee ballots for a specific election or for a full calendar year. No excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot. Baker said there are many ways to apply.

“For many voters, the easiest way to apply is online through the State Election Board’s OK Voter Portal. Voters can also fill out an application at the County Election Board or simply write us a letter,” Baker stated.

If you choose to write a letter, it must contain the following information:

• Your name, resident address, and signature

• ID number that matches ID number on file (i.e. driver’s license number, last four digits of Social Security number)

• Name of the school district in which you reside

• Name of your city (if you reside inside city limits)

• Address where you want your ballots mailed

• Type of election

• List of elections for which you are requesting absentee ballots (you may only request ballots for elections in which you are eligible to vote) Baker said some voters may need to confirm their address before submitting an absentee ballot application.

Voters who are confined to a nursing home or veteran’s center, voters who are physically incapacitated, or voters who care for physically incapacitated persons who cannot be left alone should mention these restrictions in their request. This information activates special procedures that make voting and returning absentee ballots easier.

Voters can request absentee ballots electronically using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/ elections/ovp. To download a paper application, visit the State Election Board website at oklahoma.gov/ elections. Applications are also available at the County Election Board, located at 200 S. Brown in Wewoka. The office is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. For questions, call (405) 257-2786 or send an email to seminolecounty@ elections.ok.gov.