Candidate filing for the Board of Education begins Monday, December 4th, for eight Pontotoc County school districts.

Those who wish to file for a Board of Education office must submit a Declaration of Candidacy to the Pontotoc County Election Board December 4th, 5th or 6th, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Candidate filing packets are available on the State Election Board website at https://oklahoma.gov. elections/ candidates/ candidate-filing.html and at the County Election Board.

In addition to the Declaration of Candidacy, candidates must also submit a Voter Registration Verification Form, which can be obtained from the County Election Board or by logging into https:oklahoma. gov/elections/ovp.html. Information on the Voter Registration Verification Form must match the information provided on the Declaration of Candidacy.

Paula Christian, Secretary of the Pontotoc County Election Board; reminds candidates that Contests of Candidacy must be filed no later than Friday, December 8th, by 5 p.m. and may only be filed by another candidate for that office. Contests against unopposed candidates may be filed by contacting the County Election Board.

If more than two candidates file for the same Board of Education seat, a Primary Election will be held Tuesday, February 13, 2024. If one candidate receives more than 50% of the votes, that candidate will be named the elected official. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes, the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will vie for the seat during the Board of Education General Election, Tuesday, April 2nd. If only two candidates file for the same Board of Education seat, those two candidates’ names will appear on the General Election ballot in April.

Declarations of Candidacy will be accepted for the following offices: Ada School District, Office No. 4 Allen School District, Office No. 4 Byng School District, Office No. 4 Latta School District, Office No. 4 Pontotoc County Vo-Tech, Office No. 1, Zone 1 Roff School District, Office No. 4 Stonewall School District; Office No. 4 Vanoss School District, Office No. 4 For more information, contact your County Election Board office at 580-332-4534 or Pontotoccounty@elections.ok.gov. The Pontotoc County Election Board is located at 131 W 13th, Ada, and is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., December 4th through December 6th.