Kingfisher County voters will decide the fate of continuing a one-half cent sales tax on Tuesday, Aug. 8.

The proceeds of the tax will be designated for county roads and bridges for five more years beginning Jan. 1, 2024.

“The money collected goes directly toward road and bridge construction,” said Heath Dobrovolny, chairman of the Kingfisher County Comission.

Dobrovolny pointed out that all three county districts have approved asphalt overlay projects, which will consist of three-inch asphalt overlay and stripping.

“These types of projects will greatly improve the driveability and safety for the motoring public,” Dobrovolny said.

It’s costly, however. The projects, Dobrovolny said, will exceed $300,000 per mile laid.

“That wouldn’t be possible without this funding,” he said.

Sample ballots are now available for the election.

Voters can 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.

County Election Board Secretary Shawna 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,” Butts 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.

Voters also have the option to do so by absentee ballot.

The deadline for requesting an absentee ballot is 5 p.m. Monday, July 24.

Voters can submit their request using the OK Voter Portal. Forms are also available at the County Election Board office.

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,” she 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.”

Voters exempt from having an absentee ballot affidavit notarized include those who are physically incapacitated and those who care for physically incapacitated individuals who cannot be left alone.

Those voters must have their absentee ballot affi davit witnessed by two people.

Military personnel and residents living overseas, along with their spouses and dependents, are also eligible for certain allow- ances.

Military personnel should contact Voting Service Officers in their units for absentee application forms.

Residents living overseas may obtain absentee voting applications from any United States military installation or United States Embassy or Consulate.

Military personnel and overseas citizens who are already registered voters in Oklahoma may apply for absentee ballots using the OK Voter Portal.

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 located at 101 S Main St., Room 8 and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For questions, contact the Election Board at 405375-3895 or Kingfisher-County@elections.ok.gov.