En español | Oklahoma’s June 28 primaries will determine which candidates appear on November’s general election ballot for governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, seats in the state legislature, district school boards and other municipal offices.

What's new this year?

A special election to fill the seat of retiring Sen. Jim Inhofe, scheduled to run concurrently with the state's primary and general elections, is facing legal challenges. Note that starting this year, the deadline to request an absentee ballot is 15 days before Election Day. Extra early in-person voting days have also been added.

Essential info:

• Absentee voting: All registered voters can cast an absentee ballot and vote from home in June’s primaries and November’s general election, but most absentee ballots must be notarized.

• Early in-person voting: Cast your ballot early and in person June 23 through June 25 for the primary and Nov. 2 through Nov. 5 for the general.

• In-person voting on Election Day: The state’s primary election is Tuesday, June 28 and the general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Find your polling place at the state's election website.

How do I register to vote?

• By mail: Visit Oklahoma’s voter information portal to fill out and print a voter registration application form. Applications are also available at your county election board office and at post offices, public libraries and other locations listed on the state election board’s website. Mail the completed form to your county election board. Applications must be postmarked by June 3 to vote in the primaries and by Oct. 14 to vote in the general.

• In person: Register at your county election board no later than June 3 to vote in the primaries and by Oct. 14 to vote in the general. You can also register during an appointment for a driver’s license or state ID.

Check your registration status through the Oklahoma voter portal or by calling the state election board at 405-521-2391.

Does my party affiliation matter when I vote?

Yes. Only registered Republicans can vote in Oklahoma’s Republican primaries, but both registered Democrats and unaffiliated voters can vote in Democratic primaries. You can update your party affiliation through the state’s voter portal or by submitting a new registration form, but you can’t switch your party affiliation between April 1 and Aug. 31.

How can I get an absentee ballot? What are the important deadlines?

Any registered voter can request a no-excuse absentee ballot and vote from home in the June primaries and in November’s general election.

Most people will need to get their ballot notarized. But there are different rules and carve-outs for voters who are residents of nursing homes or veterans centers or are incapacitated and can’t make it to the polls, along with those who are caring for someone who is incapacitated, are serving in the military or are working as a first responder or emergency worker. The state board of elections website has more information.

Most voters can apply for a standard absentee ballot online, by mail or in person.

• Online: Use the state’s voter portal. Or email or fax a completed application to your county election board. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on June 13 to vote in the primaries and by 5 p.m. on Oct. 24 to vote in the general.

• By mail: Download and print an application form and mail it to your county election board, or contact your county board and request that a form be mailed to you. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on June 13 to vote in the primaries and by 5 p.m. on Oct. 24 to vote in the general.

• In person: Visit your county election board office to fill out an application — or to drop off a completed application — by 5 p.m. on June 13 to vote in the primaries and by 5 p.m. on Oct. 24 to vote in the general.

Once you receive your ballot, it will need to be notarized (notaries can’t charge a fee for doing so). Exceptions are made for physically incapacitated voters and their caregivers, whose signatures must be witnessed by two people. 

The state election board’s website has a directory of notaries.

How do I return my absentee ballot?

Ballots must be returned by mail or in person. You can’t have someone else return your ballot for you if you’re submitting a standard absentee ballot — though there are exceptions for some people, including those who are incapacitated or a resident of a nursing home or veterans center.

• By mail: Return completed ballots to your county election board. Mailed ballots must be received by election officials by 7 p.m. on Election Day. The postal service recommends mailing ballots at least one week before the election.

• In person: Hand-deliver your ballot to your county election board by close of business on June 27 to vote in the primaries and Nov. 7 to vote in the general. Hours vary by location, so check to see when your election board closes. You’ll also need to show proof of identity, like a driver’s license or U.S. passport.

Track the status of your ballot through the Oklahoma voter portal.

Can I vote in person before Election Day?

Yes. For the primary, you can vote early and in person on June 23 and 24 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday, June 25, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For the general election, you can vote Nov. 2 through Nov. 4 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 5.

You can find your early voting location on the state elections website.

When is Election Day? When are polls open?

The primary election is Tuesday, June 28, and the general election is Tuesday, Nov. 8. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Search for your polling place online at the state's election website.

Do I need identification to vote?

Yes. You’ll need to show a photo ID, like an Oklahoma driver’s license, U.S. passport or military ID. Or you can show a voter identification card issued by your county election board. The state election board’s website has more information about acceptable forms of ID.

If you don’t have an acceptable form of ID, you can cast a provisional ballot. You’ll need to sign an affidavit confirming your identity. Election officials will determine whether the provisional ballot is legitimate after Election Day.

What races are on the ballot?

• Governor
• U.S. Senate: two seats: one held by Sen. James Lankford, who’s running for reelection, and the other, held by Sen. Jim Inhofe, who is retiring before his term expires in 2026.
• U.S. House: all five seats
• State Senate: 24 of 48 seats
• State House: all 101 seats
• District School Boards
• Oklahoma City Mayor and other municipal offices

Editor’s note: This guide was updated on March 15 with information about how to vote in 2022. The guide was first published on Aug. 4, 2020.

Also of Interest:

• Follow AARP's political coverage at aarp.org/elections  
• Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at aarp.org/oklahoma