The early in-person voting period for the election that will decide two major county seats begins this Thursday.

Kingfisher County Election Board Secretary Shawna Butts is reminding voters of a major change to that early voting site.

Voters usually cast ballots at the MACenter Building at the Kingfisher County Fairgrounds.

However, they’ll cast their early ballots this time at the Kingfisher First United Methodist Church located at 1800 S. 13th St.

“This change is only for the Aug. 27, 2024, runoff primary and special election,” Butts reiterated.

Voters will enter through the southwest doors of the church, just past the playground.

Early voting is from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday (Aug. 22-23) and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (Aug. 24).

This election includes the primary runoff for Kingfisher County sheriff between Republican candidates Jonathan Riedlinger and Aaron Pitts.

Those were the top two vote-getters in the June 18 primary election that also included Forrest Smith and Jeremiah Loper.

Riedlinger led the voting as he garnered 1,321 votes, narrowly missing the majority needed to gain the outright win.

His votes accounted for 49.49% of the 2,669 total votes cast.

Pitts pulled in 770 votes. The winner of the primary runoff will take office in January 2025, succeeding the retiring Dennis Banther.

This is also a special election to fill the District 3 county commissioner seat.

Voters will decide between Anthony Schwarz and Brandi Fuxa.

The winner will fill an unexpired term after Heath Dobrovolny resigned earlier this year to take a job in New Mexico.

( Ed. note: For more on the county commissioner candidates, see Page 2 of this edition.)

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.

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.

Early voting will continue at the MACenter after the August election.

The next election will be the general election on Nov. 5.

Voters who have questions or concerns should contact the Kingfisher County Election Board at 405-375-3895 or via email at kingfishercounty@elections. ok.gov.

The County Election Board is located at 101 S Main St., Room 8. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.