The three-day candidate filing period for city council and school board seats across Seminole County will come to a close today.

The filing period will be open today, Wednesday, Dec. 4 between the hours of 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Seminole County Election Board, located at 123 S. Mekusukey in Wewoka. Filing packets are available on the State Election Board website and at the county election board.

City of Wewoka offices include council seats in Ward 4 and 5. City of Konawa offices include Councilmember Ward 1 and Councilmember Ward 2.

On the Seminole City Council, the terms of four councilors and the mayor will expire in April 2025. Declarations of candidacy will be accepted for council seats in wards 1, 2, 3, 4 and for that of mayor.

School board offices include Bowlegs Public School District, Office No. 5; Butner Public School District, Office No. 5; Justice Public School District, Office No. 3; Konawa Public School District, Office No. 5; New Lima Public School District, Office No. 5; Sasakwa Public School District, Office No. 5; Seminole Public School District, Office No. 5; Strother Public School District, Office No. 5; Varnum Public School District, Office No. 5 and Wewoka Public School District, Office No. 5 In addition to the declaration of candidacy, candidates must also submit a voter registration verification form, which can be obtained from the County Election Board or by logging into the OK Voter Portal at https://oklahoma. gov/elections/ovp.html. Information on the voter registration verification form must match the information provided on the declaration of candidacy.

For the municipal offices, a primary election is scheduled for Feb. 11, 2025. If a primary election is not needed, a general election will be held April 1, 2025.

If more than two candidates file for the same board of education seat, a primary election will be held Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025. If one candidate receives more than 50% of the votes, that candidate will be named the elected official. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will vie for the seat during the board of education general election, Tuesday, April 1, 2025. If only two candidates file for the same board of education seat, those two candidates’ names will appear on the general election ballot in April.

Seminole County Election Board Secretary Amy Baker said contests of candidacy must be filed no later than Friday, Dec. 6 by 5 p.m. and may only be filed by another candidate for that office. Contests against unopposed candidates may be filed by contacting the County Election Board at (405) 257-2786.