Candidate filing begins for board of education

Candidate filing for the Board of Education starts Dec. 4 for 17 LeFlore County school districts.

Those who wish to file for a board of education office must submit a declaration of candidacy to the LeFlore County Election Board Dec. 4, 5 or 6 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Candidate filing packets are available on the state election board website at https://oklahoma.gov/elections/candidates/candidate-filing.html and the county election board.

In addition to the declaration of candidacy, candidates must also submit a voter registration form, which can be obtained from the county election board or by logging into the OK voter portal: https://oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp.html. Information on the form must match the information provided on the declaration of candidacy.

Sharon Steele, secretary of the LeFlore County Election Board, reminds candidates that contests of candidacy must be filed no later than Dec. 8 by 5 p.m. and may be filed by another candidate for that office. Contests against unopposed candidates my be filed by contacting the County Election Board.

If more than two candidates file for the same board of education seat, a primary election will be held Feb. 13. If one candidate receives more than 50 percent of the votes, that candidate will be named the elected official. If no candidate received more than 50 percent of the votes, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will vie for the seat during the board of education general election April 2. If only two candidates file for the same board of education seat, those two candidate3s’ names will appear on the general election ballot in April.

Declarations of candidacy will be accepted for the following school offices: Arkoma, office #4; Bokoshe, office No. 4; Cameron, office No. 4; Fanshawe, office No. 2; Heavener, office 4; Hodgen, office 2; Howe, office No. 4; LeFlore, office 4; Monroe, office No. 2; Panama, office No. 4; Pocola, office No. 4; Poteau, office No. 4; Shady Point, office No. 2; Spiro, office No. 4; Talihina, office No. 4; Whitesboro, office No. 4; Wister, office No. 4.

For more information, contact the County Election Board office at (918) 647-3701 or by email to [email protected]. The office is at 103 North Church Street in Poteau and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  

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