Early voting for Oklahomas Aug. 25 runoff primary elections began Thursday for voters in 50 counties. Heres what you need to know before you go to the polls.When can I vote early?Early voting is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Counties with state or federal runoff elections will also be able to take part in early voting from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, according to the election board.Where can I vote early?Oklahomans are urged to check the OK Voter Portal to find their polling place and view their sample ballot. The following counties have a federal and/or state election on the ballot and will have in-person absentee (early) voting on Thursday, Friday and Saturday:AtokaChoctawGarvinGradyHaskellHughesLatimerLeFloreMcClainMcCurtainOkfuskeeOklahomaPittsburgPottawatomiePushmatahaSeminoleStephensTulsaThe following counties have only county and/or local elections on the ballot, and will have in-person absentee (early) voting on Thursday and Friday: (There is no early voting on Saturday, Aug. 22.)AlfalfaBeckhamCarterClevelandComancheCreekCusterDelawareEllisGarfieldHarperJacksonJohnstonKingfisherKiowaLincolnLoganMcIntoshMuskogeeNowataOkmulgeeOsageOttawaPawneePaynePontotocRogersTexasWagonerWashingtonWashitaWoodwardIf you have a sample ballot available in the portal, that means you have an election in your precinct. If no ballot is available, it means you do not have an election, State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said. Whats on the ballot?Voters are urged to check their sample ballot here to see whats on their specific ballot. One of the biggest races in Oklahoma County is the Republican nomination for Sheriff. Current Sheriff PD Taylor will face challenger Tommie Johnson III. The winner will then face democratic nominee, Oklahoma City Police Lt. Wayland Cubit in November.KOCO 5 recently spoke with both GOP candidates. Watch the videos below to see their takes on the issues the sheriffs office faces:Voters in several counties will also decide on the GOP nomination for U.S. House of Representatives District 5. Stephanie Bice will face Terry Neese in the Aug. 25 runoff primary election. The winner will then take on incumbent, democrat Kendra Horn in November. Secretary Ziriax also reminds voters that Oklahoma is a closed primary state. In order to vote in a partys primary or runoff primary, you must be a registered voter of that party. The Democratic Party, however, has made an exception for Independent voters for the 2020 and 2021 election years. If youre an Independent voter you may ask for a Democratic Party primary ballot, Ziriax said.The Republican Party and Libertarian Party have chosen to keep their primaries closed.Absentee VotingVoters who have requested an absentee ballot for the Aug. 25 Runoff Primary have several return options. Absentee ballots can be returned by the United States Postal Service or a private mail carrier, provided delivery documentation is provided.Standard absentee ballots, the most common form of ballot, can be hand-delivered to the county election board provided the ballot is returned no later than the end of business day, the Monday prior to the election. Only the voter may hand-deliver his or her own absentee ballot. Please be prepared to show proof of identity when you drop off your ballot. You will be asked to show the same identification that is required when you vote at the polls.Absentee ballots returned by mail for the Aug. 25 election must be received by the County Election Board no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.Voters can track their absentee ballot using the OK Voter Portal.COVID-19 measuresSocial distancing and COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place during early voting and on Election Day. While masks or face coverings are not required at voting locations, they are strongly recommended. Voters can find more information about COVID-19 and the 2020 elections on the State Election Board website.

Early voting for Oklahomas Aug. 25 runoff primary elections began Thursday for voters in 50 counties. Heres what you need to know before you go to the polls.

When can I vote early?

Early voting is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Counties with state or federal runoff elections will also be able to take part in early voting from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, according to the election board.

Where can I vote early?

Oklahomans are urged to check the OK Voter Portal to find their polling place and view their sample ballot.

The following counties have a federal and/or state election on the ballot and will have in-person absentee (early) voting on Thursday, Friday and Saturday:

The following counties have only county and/or local elections on the ballot, and will have in-person absentee (early) voting on Thursday and Friday: (There is no early voting on Saturday, Aug. 22.)

If you have a sample ballot available in the portal, that means you have an election in your precinct. If no ballot is available, it means you do not have an election, State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax said.

Whats on the ballot?

Voters are urged to check their sample ballot here to see whats on their specific ballot.

One of the biggest races in Oklahoma County is the Republican nomination for Sheriff. Current Sheriff PD Taylor will face challenger Tommie Johnson III. The winner will then face democratic nominee, Oklahoma City Police Lt. Wayland Cubit in November.

KOCO 5 recently spoke with both GOP candidates. Watch the videos below to see their takes on the issues the sheriffs office faces:

Voters in several counties will also decide on the GOP nomination for U.S. House of Representatives District 5. Stephanie Bice will face Terry Neese in the Aug. 25 runoff primary election. The winner will then take on incumbent, democrat Kendra Horn in November.

Secretary Ziriax also reminds voters that Oklahoma is a closed primary state.

In order to vote in a partys primary or runoff primary, you must be a registered voter of that party. The Democratic Party, however, has made an exception for Independent voters for the 2020 and 2021 election years. If youre an Independent voter you may ask for a Democratic Party primary ballot, Ziriax said.

The Republican Party and Libertarian Party have chosen to keep their primaries closed.

Absentee Voting

Voters who have requested an absentee ballot for the Aug. 25 Runoff Primary have several return options. Absentee ballots can be returned by the United States Postal Service or a private mail carrier, provided delivery documentation is provided.

Standard absentee ballots, the most common form of ballot, can be hand-delivered to the county election board provided the ballot is returned no later than the end of business day, the Monday prior to the election. Only the voter may hand-deliver his or her own absentee ballot. Please be prepared to show proof of identity when you drop off your ballot. You will be asked to show the same identification that is required when you vote at the polls.

Absentee ballots returned by mail for the Aug. 25 election must be received by the County Election Board no later than 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Voters can track their absentee ballot using the OK Voter Portal.

COVID-19 measures

Social distancing and COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place during early voting and on Election Day. While masks or face coverings are not required at voting locations, they are strongly recommended. Voters can find more information about COVID-19 and the 2020 elections on the State Election Board website.

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Early voting begins for Aug. 25 Oklahoma runoff elections; what you need to know - KOCO Oklahoma City