Candidate filing for the Board of Education began Monday, December 4, 2023 for seven Kay County School Districts, including Tonkawa.At press time Tuesday, incumbent Jerry Hook is the lone one to file.Those who wish to file for a Board of Education office must submit a Declaration of Candidacy to the Kay 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 the OK Voter Portal at https://oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp.html. Information on the Voter Registration Verification Form must match the information provided on the Declaration of Candidacy.Carol Learning, Secretary of the Kay County Election Board, reminds candidates that Contests of Candidacy must be filed no later than Friday, December 8, 2023 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 ElectionBoard.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 2,2024. 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: Blackwell School District, Office No. 4; Newkirk School District, Office No. 4; Kildare School District, Office No. 1 ; Ponca City School District, Office No. 4; Peckham School District, Office No. 2; Tonkawa School District, Office No. 4; Pioneer Technology Center, Zone No. 2 For more information, contact your County Election Board office at 580 362 2130 or kaycounty@elections.ok.gov . The Kay County Election Board is located at 219 S. Main St. and is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.
