Early voting begins in the Primary Election today for several local, county and state positions up for decision. The Primaries are to narrow the field when more than one candidate from the same political party files for the same office.
While Election Day officially is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, voting has already begun at county elections boards for early, in-person voting from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. today, to continue Friday, also from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Offices
Locally, new terms are open for Shawnee mayor and City Commission seats in wards 2, 3 and 4, as well as Pottawatomie County races for sheriff, court clerk, county clerk and County Commission District 2. Terms opening for area legislative offices include local Senate District 17, and House Districts 26, 27 and 28.
April 3-5 was the official candidate filing period, recording many area hopefuls who have chosen to campaign for a post.
According to the filings, five candidates garnered no competition – Shawnee City Commission Ward 4, Pottawatomie County Court Clerk, Bethel Acres Ward 2 and Bethel Acres Ward 4, and state House District 27.
Winners by default, due to no opposition, were:
- Shawnee City Commission Ward 4 (non-partisan) — Ashley Fichtner, 41
- Court Clerk – Incumbent Valerie Ueltzen, 41, Republican
- BETHEL ACRES Board of Trustee Ward 2 — Brian Pierson, 59
- BETHEL ACRES Board of Trustee Ward 4 — Maeghan Olsen, 36
- Oklahoma House District 27 — Incumbent Danny Sterling, 68, Republican
Primary voting
The rest of the candidates are contending with opponents (either in a nonpartisan race or within their political party) to win or secure a spot in the next round of voting in these area races:
LOCAL:
Shawnee Mayor (non-partisan)
- Incumbent Ed Bolt, 67
- Eric Stephens, 53
- Rob Morris, 43
- Edwina Butler-Wolfe, 62
Shawnee City Commission Ward 2 (non-partisan)
- Sydnie Davidson, 41
- Cyndi Berger, 36
- Greta Madson, 41
- Dana Browning, 49
Shawnee City Commission Ward 3 (non-partisan)
- Chris Odneal, 45
- Incumbent Yannah Frazier, 48
- Theresa Cody, 68
POTTAWATOMIE COUNTY:
Sheriff
- Travis Dinwiddie, 46,
- Republican Freeland Wood, 59, Republican
County Commission District 2
- Scott Hawkins, 42, Republican
- Incumbent Greg Rush, 61, Republican
- Justin Caldwell, 48, Republican
- John Stanley, 62, Republican
- Terry Gregory, 62, Republican
County Clerk
- Incumbent Raeschel Flewallen, 61, Republican
- Buck Day, 76, Republican
LEGISLATIVE:
Oklahoma Senate District 17
- Ron Sharp, 71, Republican
- Cody Swearingen, 24, Republican
- Incumbent Shane Jett, 49, Republican
- Rachael Melot, 47, Republican
Oklahoma House District 28
- Darlene Wallace, 71, Republican
- Incumbent Danny Williams, 74, Republican
STATE:
Corporation Commissioner
- J. Brian Bingman, Republican
- Russell Ray, Republican
- Justin Hornback, Republican
Voting
Early voters can cast an early ballot at the Pottawatomie County Election Board office at 330 N. Broadway in Shawnee. Otherwise, voters will need to go to their polling places on Primary Election Day, Tuesday, June 18. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Voters can visit ok.gov/elections to find their polling place and view sample ballots.
Coming next
Runoff primary elections are set from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 27.
To be eligible to vote in the runoffs, residents must be registered by Aug. 2.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot for this election is Aug. 12.
Early voting is from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Aug. 22 and 23, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 24.
The General Election is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 5.
To be eligible to vote in the General Election, residents must be registered by Oct. 11.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot for this election is Oct. 21.
Early voting is from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 2.
Watch for updates as election results are announced.
