Mock Elections To Be Held In Texas County

La Fonda F. Limon, Secretary of the Texas County Election Board, invites all in Texas County to participate in a public mock election on Monday, January 9, through Thursday, January 12, 2012 . Voters who visit the Texas County Election Board in Guymon, Ok, at 301 N. Main St. (Courthouse Annex), office between 9:00 a.m. ~ 3:00 p.m. will have an opportunity to view Oklahoma’s new voting machines and to cast a mock election ballot before the new statewide voting system is used for the first time in the February 14, 2012, elections.

The new voting system keeps the best parts of the old system – uniform equipment, standard procedures, and paper ballots counted by scanners – while utilizing technology to improve security and efficiency.

Voters will be voting on the “BEST OF OKLAHOMA”, with the categories: Historical Role Model, Treat, Athlete, Sports Team, Musician and Actor. This will give persons a chance to vote for their favorite along with taking time to see how this machine operates and “play” with its various features.

There have been many changes within the Election System over the past several months. We have new equipment, laws requiring proof of identity to vote, changes of voting locations due to various factors including the 2010 Census Results, attempts by the State and County Election officials to follow school district lines…

This is a very busy election year and we would like to encourage all voters to verify that they are registered to vote within the political party of their choice as no changes can be made during April 1, 2012 ~ August 31, 2012 in regards to their Political Affiliation. Also, in order to vote in an upcoming election, the potential voter must have their application submitted to the Election Board 24 days before an election. A person may get an application from various sources: online at http://www.ok.gov/elections/documents/vrform.pdf or applications should be available through the following agencies: Motor License Agencies, Disability Agencies, Military Recruiters, Public Assistance Agencies, Oklahoma Panhandle State Universities (Student Union) or their County Election Board, just to name a few.

The Texas County Election Board can be contacted at 580-338-7644 or 580-338-2618 (office line/fax)

Paul Ziriax, the Secretary of the Oklahoma State Election Board, said state election officials are excited about the new voting system. "The best system in the country is getting even better."

Voters still will mark a paper ballot by hand and still will be able to depend on reliable and accurate scanners to count their ballots. The new system is based on modern computer technology, accurately counts ballots, and offers additional security.

The new machines are also accessible for voters with disabilities. An audio tactile interface allows voters with disabilities to cast audio versions of ballots independently and privately.

Oklahoma ‘s old voting system served the state well for many years – more than twenty, in fact. But the machines themselves and the computer system used to program them have aged, spare parts for necessary repairs have become increasingly scarce, and technology has marched forward. The State of Oklahoma received funding for an upgrade of the state’s voting system under the federal Help American Vote Act.

The Texas County Election Board is located at 301 N. Main St. , Guymon , OK , and will be open for the mock election from 9:00 a.m. ~ 3:00 p.m. on Monday, January 9, through Thursday, January 12, 2012 .