BY RUSSELL TURNER
SOMETHING WORTH WORKING FOR
When we devote time and effort to any endeavor we usually have more pride in what we do. Whether those efforts are in a business or an occupation, something of value is worth working for. The same can be said about the condition of our government. It is our duty to know the issues and preserve the fundamentals that our country was founded upon.
Recently a bill was passed by the legislature and signed by the governor that will help ensure the integrity of our election process. Senate Bill 1466 puts restrictions on notaries concerning absentee ballots. The bill prohibits notaries from requesting ballots for anyone other than themselves and their immediate family members. The notaries cannot receive a ballot on behalf of anyone other than himself or his household. The notary cannot submit a ballot on behalf of anyone other than himself. Notaries cannot notarize more than 20 ballots during a single election. The notary will also be required to maintain a log of all ballots they notarize for 2 years.
Another provision; if more than ten (10) absentee ballots for a single election are requested to be mailed to a single address, the district attorney and the secretary of the state election board must be notified immediately. The 10-ballot rule will be excused when the ballots are delivered to nursing homes, assisted living centers, etc.
There has been abuse in the absentee ballot system for several years and this bill will clean up the process. When any of us cast a vote, only yourself and God should know how you vote. It is a decision that we need to make by ourselves and we must not let outside interests pressure our decision-making process. Our citizens need to understand that notaries are not election workers; their only function is to witness someone signing a ballot affidavit before it is mailed. It is our job as voters to obtain a ballot, then after it is notarized put the necessary postage on it and mail it ourselves. Most voters cast their ballots at their local precinct, usually absentee voting accounts for 1.5% of votes cast. In the case of Adair County, Oklahoma that percentage was almost 8% in the 2010 primary. For those of you who think that it will be a problem to get the ballot notarized, it might surprise you to know that in Adair County, Oklahoma, which is a rural county, there are over 360 notaries. I feel that taking a little time and a couple of postage stamps are a small price to pay for the privilege to have a part in our government.
My thanks for Senators Ford and Wilson, Representatives Cox and Wright and Governor Fallin for their efforts for a clean and fair election process.
SOMETHING WORTH WORKING FOR
When we devote time and effort to any endeavor we usually have more pride in what we do. Whether those efforts are in a business or an occupation, something of value is worth working for. The same can be said about the condition of our government. It is our duty to know the issues and preserve the fundamentals that our country was founded upon.
Recently a bill was passed by the legislature and signed by the governor that will help ensure the integrity of our election process. Senate Bill 1466 puts restrictions on notaries concerning absentee ballots. The bill prohibits notaries from requesting ballots for anyone other than themselves and their immediate family members. The notaries cannot receive a ballot on behalf of anyone other than himself or his household. The notary cannot submit a ballot on behalf of anyone other than himself. Notaries cannot notarize more than 20 ballots during a single election. The notary will also be required to maintain a log of all ballots they notarize for 2 years.
Another provision; if more than ten (10) absentee ballots for a single election are requested to be mailed to a single address, the district attorney and the secretary of the state election board must be notified immediately. The 10-ballot rule will be excused when the ballots are delivered to nursing homes, assisted living centers, etc.
There has been abuse in the absentee ballot system for several years and this bill will clean up the process. When any of us cast a vote, only yourself and God should know how you vote. It is a decision that we need to make by ourselves and we must not let outside interests pressure our decision-making process. Our citizens need to understand that notaries are not election workers; their only function is to witness someone signing a ballot affidavit before it is mailed. It is our job as voters to obtain a ballot, then after it is notarized put the necessary postage on it and mail it ourselves. Most voters cast their ballots at their local precinct, usually absentee voting accounts for 1.5% of votes cast. In the case of Adair County, Oklahoma that percentage was almost 8% in the 2010 primary. For those of you who think that it will be a problem to get the ballot notarized, it might surprise you to know that in Adair County, Oklahoma, which is a rural county, there are over 360 notaries. I feel that taking a little time and a couple of postage stamps are a small price to pay for the privilege to have a part in our government.
My thanks for Senators Ford and Wilson, Representatives Cox and Wright and Governor Fallin for their efforts for a clean and fair election process.
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