Voters in Bryan County who want to have absentee ballots mailed to them for the April 2, Bryan County Regular Municipal General Elections for City of Durant, (Council Member Ward #2),Town of Achille,(2 Board of Trustees), Town of Bokchito,(3 Board of Trustees, and 1 unexpired Term seat for Board of Trustee), Town of Caddo(2 Board of Trustees), and Town of Calera,(2 Board of Trustees) should apply now, County Election Board Secretary Linda Fahrendorf said.

Although the County Election Board can accept applications for absentee ballots until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, Fahrendorf urged voters who want to vote by absentee ballot to apply early.

Absentee ballot application forms are available at the County Election Board office located at 217 N. 16^th Ave. The absentee ballot application forms also can be downloaded and printed from the Internet at www.elections.ok.gov.

“At least two mail transactions must be made,” Fahrendorf said. “The County Election Board must mail the ballots to the voter and the voter must return the voted ballots by mail.” Ballots must be in the hands of the County Election Board by 7 p.m. on election day in order to be counted.

Fahrendorf said that any registered voter may vote by absentee ballot in any election in which he or she is eligible to vote.

However, a voter must be registered and reside at an address within the geographical boundaries of a school district or a municipality to be eligible to vote in school district or municipal elections. It is not necessary to give a reason—-or excuse—-for voting absentee. “While anyone can vote absentee without giving a reason, the law still provides several excuses, and it is to the advantage of some voters to use one of them,” Fahrendorf said. By stating one of the following reasons on their applications, these voters can activate some special conditions that make it easier for them to use absentee ballots. The reasons are:

— Voters who are physically incapacitated and voters who care for physically incapacitated persons who cannot be left unattended may vote absentee. They may apply only by mail, by fax, or by telegraph.

— Voters who are confined to nursing homes in the county may vote absentee. An Absentee Voting Board actually goes to the nursing home a few days before the election, sets up a small polling place and allows these persons to vote under circumstances similar to those at a regular precinct polling place. They may apply only by mail or by fax.

— Military personnel and residents of the county living overseas and the spouses and dependents of each group are eligible to vote absentee without being registered. These voters may apply by mail, by e-mail, or by fax. Military personnel should contact the Voting Service Officers in their units for application forms and additional information. Residents of Oklahoma living overseas can obtain the same materials from any United States military installation and from United States Embassies and Consulates. Military personnel and overseas citizens also can download the appropriate application form from the Internet at www.fvap.gov.

In Durant, council seats are up for Wards 1 and 2. Jerry Tomlinson who currently serves as mayor for Ward 1, did not have an opponent. Two candidates filed for Ward 2, Thomas Marcum and Stewart Hoffman. Marcum is the incumbent who also serves as vice mayor. These are four-year terms and anyone in the city may vote, regardless of the ward the voter lives in.

In Calera, three candidates, James E. Eaton, Eric Pyle and David Westbrook, have filed for four-year terms to the board of trustees. Voters will choose two out of the three candidates. Eaton and Westbrook are incumbents.

Michael Hearon filed for a two-year unexpired term to the board. Incumbent Treasurer Deborah C. Townsend did not draw an opponent.

Candidates have also filed in the following towns:

Achille

Two board of trustees, four-year terms, Bradley Barkley, Billie J. Hughes, Lynn A. Chambers, Patrick Shannon Bulley and Donald L. Rucker. Beverly Rucker filed for a four-year term as clerk/treasurer.

Bennington

Two board members for four-year terms, Nancy Allen and Barbara Robbins. Nikki Durbin filed for a two-year unexpired term.

Bokchito

Voters will vote for three members of the board of trustees to serve four-year terms: Keith Whittington, Rozell Tidwell, Jimmie W. Long, Johnny Ashby, Jeff Mays, Ellen Haislip and Cathey Wingo Keirsey. Kim L. McGovern and Patricia Mays filed for a two-year unexpired term.

Caddo

Voters will choose two candidates for a four-year term. Gary Wayne Runt Boehme, Lindal White, Juan D. Flores and Marty Hider filed for the offices.

Colbert

Virginia Parrish was the only one to file for a four-year term in Ward 2. Roxanne Reed was the only candidate to seek a four-year term in Ward 4.