Okarche voters will decide next month whether to increase the number of people on their governing body.

A special election will be held Tuesday, Sept. 12.

On the ballot for those in Okarche is a proposition to increase the number of people on the town board from three to five members.

If the measure passes, the current board will set an election date to vote in the new members.

The ordinance for the extra members states that terms would be staggered and that trustees in Wards 1 and 3 - as well as the position of town clerk - would be up at the next general municipal election and then Wards 2 and 4 at the general municipal election following that one.

Once fully established, council member terms will be four years.

Voters inside Kingfisher County boundaries who want absentee ballots mailed to them for the election must apply by 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28.

Absentee ballots are available to any registered voter, provided they are eligible to vote in the election requested. No excuse is needed to vote by absentee ballot, said County Election Board Secretary Shawna Butts.

Voters can submit a request using the OK Voter Portal at oklahoma.gov/ elections/ovp.

Request forms are also available at oklahoma.gov/elections and at the County Election Board office located at 101 S Main St., Room 8.

Butts reminds voters to allow time for an absentee ballot to be received, completed and returned by mail to the County Election Board.

“With some exceptions, all absentee ballots must be notarized before being returned,” Butts said.

“Voters should give themselves plenty of time to make sure all steps have been followed and that the ballot is returned correctly in order to be counted.”

All completed absentee ballots must be in the hands of the County Election Board no later than 7 p.m.

on Election Day.

The Kingfisher County Election Board is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For questions, contact the Election Board at 405-375-3895.

Voters can also download a sample ballot using the State Election Board’s OK Voter Portal at oklahoma. gov/elections/ovp or pick up a copy at the Kingfisher County Election Board during normal business hours.

Butts reminds voters that sample ballots are specific to each person.

“If the OK Voter Portal indicates that you have no sample ballots available, it means you are not eligible to vote in an upcoming election,” she said. “We recommend checking the OK Voter Portal to make sure you have an election before heading to the polls.”

Butts said sample ballots will also be posted outside every precinct polling place on Election Day, so voters can review them before casting their votes.