Oklahoma Resources for Voters with Disabilities

U.S. Vote Foundation's Oklahoma Voters with Disabilities Guide provides valuable resources including information on accessible voting options, voter rights, and guidance on the voting process. This essential Oklahoma guide empowers individuals to exercise their right to vote in a private, independent, and accessible way.

What are my rights as a voter with a disability in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, you have the right to the following as protected by federal law. Election staff must respect these rights:

  • Accessible voter registration
  • Accessible polling places
  • Policies and procedures that do not discriminate against you based on your disability
  • Accessible, available, and operational voting systems, features
  • Your service animal to accompany you inside the polling place
  • The right to vote privately and independently or with assistance, if needed
  • Assistance from a person of choice, who can be a friend, family member, or poll worker (but not your boss, union agent, or a candidate
  • Election Staff trained to understand the rights above

In Oklahoma, you also have the right to:  

  • Independently mark and cast your ballot without interference, coercion, or intimidation
  • Receive assistance when voting
  • Use an audio-assisted ballot
  • Vote by absentee ballot if you have a disability that prevents you from voting in person on Election Day
  • File a complaint about voting accessibility or other violation


 

Federal law requires assistance in registering to vote from offices that provide public assistance or state-funded programs serving people with disabilities. Responsibilities include:

  • Providing voter registration forms
  • Assisting voters in completing the forms
  • Transmitting completed forms to the appropriate election official

In Oklahoma, you can have help filling out your voter registration form. This assistant must include the following information as instructed in the application:

  • assistant's name
  • assistant's address
What are the rules of assistance for disabled voters in Oklahoma?
  • You may request assistance from a poll worker or receive assistance from a person of your choice with the following exceptions:  
    • your employer, an agent of your employer
    • an officer or agent of your union
       
  • A poll worker cannot force you to accept assistance.
What are the different ways to vote in Oklahoma?
  • In person on Election Day
  • You can vote absentee by mail or in-person at these locations. (Click on the “Find Early Voting Location” to find out where to vote early for the upcoming election.)
What are the ways to request an Absentee Ballot in Oklahoma?
  • Any registered voter may request an absentee ballot.
  • The easiest way to request an absentee ballot may be on-line through the OK Voter Portal
    • applications can be completed in minutes
    • info is directly sent electronically to your county election board
  • You can directly contact your county election board
  • You can download an Absentee Ballot Application from the Oklahoma State Election Board website. You may return this application to your county election board by:
    • fax
    • mail
    • email
    • hand delivery
  • If you state that you have a disability on your application, you may be entitled to an easier process for voting
How is the Oklahoma mail-in or absentee ballot process made accessible for voters?

If you are physically incapacitated and cannot be left alone, or you are a caregiver for someone who is physically incapacitated, then you can request "Physically Incapacitated" absentee ballot.

  • If you are eligible for this type of absentee ballot and cannot sign your name, you can have someone help you fill out an Affidavit Envelope. All "Physically Incapacitated" absentee ballot affidavits must have the signature or mark witnessed.
    • You will need two witnesses to validate your Affidavit Envelope
    • The two witnesses will need to sign and print their name and write their address in the space provided
  • With this type of ballot, you can also receive help with marking your ballot.
    • Your helper will need to print and sign their name and write their address in the space provided
    • Your helper may not serve as one of your voter affidavit witnesses
  • This type of ballot must be returned by mail; it cannot be returned in-person.
What accommodations are available for voters with disabilities at polling locations in Oklahoma?

Federal law requires polling places to meet minimum compliance standards for individuals with special needs. Oklahoma is working to meet those requirements. If your polling place is difficult to navigate, poll workers can come outside to meet you and help you vote.

In an instance where you are unable to enter a polling location, you may be assisted by two Precinct Officials outside the polling place. Please contact your local County Election Board for more information.

An accessible ballot marking device is available at all polling places. All polling places are equipped with an audio tactile interface that enables you to:

  • plug in your own assistive devices to operate the controller
    • sip and puff
    • tactile input switches 
  • listen to an audio version of the ballot
  • make selections for each race or question on the ballot
  • review all selections and make changes if necessary
  • cast the ballot privately and independently
How can I prepare to use accessible voting equipment in Oklahoma prior to Election Day?
Who do I contact if I have problems when voting in Oklahoma?

Your first step is to notify your county election board or precinct officials so that they can take immediate action to resolve the issue so that you can cast your ballot.

You can also contact Oklahoma Disability Law Center at (800) 880-7755 with your questions about voting.

To file a formal complaint about voting accessibility:

  • email info@elections.ok.gov
  • or mail a written complaint to:
    • Oklahoma State Election Board
    • PO Box 53156
    • Oklahoma City, OK 73152-3156

You can also fill out a Violation of Civil Rights Complaint Form and submit it to the US Department of Justice by one of the following methods:

  • Online, through the form’s submission process - this is the fastest method.
  • By fax at (202) 616-9881. You MUST include “ATTN: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Complaints" at the top of your fax submission for it to be processed correctly.
  • By mailing your form to: 

                 U.S. Department of Justice
                 Office of the Inspector General Investigations Division
                 ATTN: Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Complaints
                 950 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
                 Washington, DC 20530

For additional assistance, The National Network of ADA Centers can provide local contact information for other organizations you may wish to contact, including your Regional ADA Center or ADA Knowledge Translation Center, or Federal Agencies and Resources.

Helpful Quick Links
State-specific Resources Guide for Voters With Disabilities
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