Days for absentee balloting extend to Saturday

<br>OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Oklahomans wanting to vote with an absentee ballot in the election primary can do so in person on Saturday this year. <br><br>The state Legislature changed the law this past session

Tuesday, August 13th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Oklahomans wanting to vote with an absentee ballot in the election primary can do so in person on Saturday this year.

The state Legislature changed the law this past session to include the weekend day among those on which absentee ballots can be cast, state Election Board Secretary Michael Clingman said.

Oklahoma's primary election is Aug. 27. Voters can cast in-person absentee ballots on Friday, Saturday and Monday before the Tuesday election, Clingman said.

In the past, in-person absentee voting was conducted at county election board offices on Thursday, Friday and Monday before an election. Lawmakers removed Thursday and added Saturday to the list.

``People told them that they can't get away to vote during working hours,'' Clingman said.

Absentee voting hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Monday, and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the county election board office in the county in which people are registered

Those who would rather mail their absentee ballots must submit them to the county election board by 5 p.m. Aug. 21 to be processed. The ballots must be marked and returned by mail so they reach the election board office by 7 p.m. on election day.

Those wanting to apply for absentee ballots can do so in person, by mail, by fax or by telephone.

Sample ballots are available at election board offices for anyone who would like to preview them before the election. Sample ballots also will be posted outside every precinct polling place on the day of the election so voters may review them before casting their votes.

Those living overseas while serving in the military overseas, as well as their spouses and dependents, can vote without being registered. But they can only apply by mail or fax for absentee ballots, officials said.