Visually Impaired (Blind) Voters

Voters who are blind, as defined by Title 7, Section 72, may apply for an Accessible Absentee Ballot to be delivered to them electronically through the Electronic Accessible Delivery System (EADS). The EADS allows the voter to receive and mark the ballot electronically. However, the ballot must be printed and returned by mail, private delivery service, or in-person to the County Election Board using the Ballot Return Packet, which is mailed to the voter by the County Election Board.

IMPORTANT: In order to request an Accessible Absentee Ballot, the last four digits of your Social Security number must be on file with your County Election Board. The last four digits of your Social Security number are used to verify your Accessible Absentee Ballot Application and allow you to securely log into the EADS.

If you do not have the last four digits of your Social Security number on file, you may submit a new Voter Registration Application using the Online Voter Registration System or fill out and download a paper Voter Registration Application and submit it along with your Accessible Absentee Ballot Application to your County Election Board.

The easiest way to apply for an Accessible Absentee Ballot is online through the OK Voter Portal. You can also fill out and print an application form from the State Election Board website, or contact your County Election Board to have an application mailed to any address.

You may apply for absentee ballots for one election, for several elections, or for all elections during the calendar year in which the application is submitted.

If you are eligible for an Accessible Absentee Ballot you may submit your application to the appropriate County Election Board through the OK Voter Portal, by mail, fax, or email. You may also have an agent hand deliver your application. Absentee ballot requests must be received no later than 5 p.m. the third Monday (15 days) before the election.

If you choose to have your application submitted to the County Election Board by an agent, the agent must meet the statutory requirements below.

• The agent must be at least 16 years old.
• The agent may not be employed by or related within the third degree by blood or marriage to a candidate whose name is on the ballot.
• The agent may act for only one voter, per election.
• The agent will be asked to sign a form at the County Election Board office providing his or her name and attesting to these facts.

IMPORTANT: If your email address is invalid and/or electronic delivery of your ballot fails, you will be mailed both your Absentee Ballot and your Ballot Return Packet.

Accessible Absentee Ballots and instructions are delivered electronically to blind voters through the EADS. The County Election Board will send you an email containing a link to the EADS, notifying you that your ballot is ready to be retrieved from the portal.

The Ballot Return Packet will be mailed to you separately by the County Election Board. Voted ballots must be returned by mail, private delivery service, or in person to the County Election Board following the instructions provided in the Ballot Return Packet.

Your Absentee Ballot Return Packet will include instructions for voting, preparing, and returning an Accessible Absentee Ballot.

Here is a checklist:

• White “Secrecy” Envelope
• Pink Affidavit Envelope
• Green Return Envelope
• Voting Instructions
• Hand Delivery Information

Please inspect your packet carefully. If you are missing any materials, need a replacement, or have questions regarding your Ballot Return Packet, please contact your County Election Board directly for assistance.

Once your Absentee Ballot Application has been approved, you will receive an email from your County Election Board containing instructions for accessing the EADS portal to retrieve your Accessible Absentee Ballot. The ballot is designed so that you can mark your ballot electronically, with the assistance of a screen reader.

After you have finished voting your ballot, you will be asked to confirm your choices and print your ballot for delivery.

Please note that absentee ballot laws are subject to change. Any changes to procedures will be noted in your absentee ballot instructions.

Blind voters are required to have their signature on the Absentee Ballot Affidavit witnessed by two people.

Except as permitted by law, you must return your own absentee ballot to county election officials.

You can return your voted absentee ballots to the County Election Board by U.S. mail or by a private mail service that has delivery documentation, such as FedEx or UPS. First class postage is required for U.S. mail. (We recommend using your outer envelope as a guide to determine return postage.) Private mail service rates apply.

Absentee ballots returned by mail or private delivery service must be received by the County Election Board no later than 7 p.m. (CST) on Election Day to be counted.

Please consider the distance your absentee ballot must travel and allow sufficient time for your absentee ballot to be received by the County Election Board. The U.S. Postal Service recommends mailing absentee ballots at least one week prior to the due date.

You may also hand deliver your absentee ballot to your County Election. Except as permitted by law, you must return your own absentee ballot to county election officials. Hand-delivered ballots must be received no later than the close of business, the Monday prior to the election. Proof of identity is required when hand delivering your ballot and the absentee ballot affidavit must have the voter's signature witnessed by two people.

The OK Voter Portal provides information on your absentee ballot.

The portal will provide the date your Accessible Absentee Ballot notification was sent and the date your absentee ballot was received by the County Election Board.

If your absentee ballot is rejected, you will receive a letter from the County Election Board following the election. The letter will explain why your ballot could not be counted.

NOTE: The OK Voter Portal is a voter information system only, it does not “count” ballots or “tally” votes.