With the April 7 election approaching, Comanche County Election Board officials are reminding voters of election-related laws.
People allowed inside the election enclosure
It is a crime for anyone other than voters and election officials to remain within 50 feet of a ballot box while an election is underway, officials said in a news release. Additionally, it is illegal for anyone other than election officials and voters to be inside the election enclosure where voters are checked in, issued ballots and vote. The law is not intended to include minor children who accompany voters to their polling location.
A news reporter or photographer may, while covering the election, be allowed inside the enclosure for no more than five minutes. The reporter or photographer shall not interfere with voter or election officials and shall neither observe any individual voter while the voter marks a ballot nor photograph any voter who is marking a ballot.
Illegal voting
It is a crime to vote more than once in any election, vote in a precinct after having transferred your voter registration to a new precinct or vote knowing that you are not eligible. It is also illegal to vote and submit an absentee ballot issued to another person.
Electioneering
Electioneering is advocating for or against a candidate or issue on the ballot. It is a crime to electioneer within 300 feet from a polling place entrance or the last person in line at the entrance while an election is in progress.
Electioneering can be verbal, or it can include displaying items such as signs, pamphlets, T-shirts, buttons or hats. If voters aren’t sure whether their clothing or accessories would constitute an election crime, those items should be left at home.
Printed Material
No printed material, other than that provided by the election board, shall be publicly placed or exposed within 300 feet from the polling place entrance while an election is in progress. Voters may, however, bring personal notes to assist them with their election choices while they are marking their ballot.
Personal notes must remain concealed at all other times while inside the enclosure.
Photographs, disclosing vote
Voters may take a digital image or photograph of their marked ballot while inside the enclosure. However, it is unlawful for voters to post the image or photo on social media or otherwise distribute or disclose how they voted until they have left the enclosure.
Election Interference
It is a misdemeanor to interfere with the orderly and lawful conduct of an election.
No one, including a lawfully appointed watcher or exit pollster, may interfere with a registered voter who is attempting to vote or try to influence a person’s vote by force or intimidation. This includes activity before and during an election.
Pollsters
An exit pollster is someone who receives an official commission from the election board secretary to conduct polls or interviews of voters leaving the polling place. No pollster shall be permitted within 50 feet of any ballot box while an election is in progress, and pollsters shall be limited to written polling materials.
Any person conducting an exit poll within 300 feet of any ballot box shall display identification provided by the election board secretary. Voters are not required to participate in exit polls.
Intoxication
It is unlawful to take intoxicating liquors of any kind or quantity to within one-half mile of any polling place on Election Day. Additionally, no one shall attend an election or be within 300 feet of a polling place in an intoxicated condition the day of an election.
Reporting potential crimes
Voters who believe an election crime is being committed should contact their county election board or local law enforcement while the act is in progress or as soon as possible. Be prepared to provide as much information and documentation as possible.
For more information or to report a potential violation of election law, contact the Comanche County Election Board at (580) 353-1880 or comanchecounty@elections.ok.gov.