Seminole’s mayoral election is set for next Tuesday, Feb. 14, but voters are offered the opportunity to cast their ballots early beginning later this Thursday.

In-person absentee voting, otherwise known as “early voting,” will be available Thursday, Feb. 9 and Friday, Feb. 10 from 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Seminole County Election Board Offices, located inside the county courthouse in Wewoka (110 S. Wewoka Ave.).

No excuse is needed for early voting. Simply show up at the election board office on one of the designated dates during the specified hours and request a ballot. Oklahoma’s proof of identity law requires every voter who votes in person, whether on election day or during early voting, to show proof of identity before receiving a ballot.

Acceptable forms of ID include a photo ID issued by the United States government, the State of Oklahoma, or a federally recognized tribal government, or the free voter identification card from the County Election Board provided upon voter registration. If you do not have an ID (or if you refuse to show it) you may vote by provisional ballot and prove your identity by signing a sworn affidavit. Provisional ballots are sealed inside special envelopes and are not put through the voting device. After election day, officials will investigate the information provided on the affidavit and either approve the provisional ballot for counting or reject it based on the outcome of that investigation.

Two candidates are listed on the ballot. Mayor Jeff Griffin, who is seeking a third term, has drawn a challenger in Stephanie Davis.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. on election day. To find your polling location, check your voter ID card, call the County Election Board at (405) 257-2786 or check online at www. oklahoma.gov/elections/ ovp.html.