Early voting for the April 5 election begins March 31, according to Tulsa County Election Board Secretary Gwen Freeman.

Early voting is open to all voters.

“You do not need to provide an excuse to vote early,” Freeman said. “Oklahoma allows early voting for all elections conducted through the State Election Board – from school board and municipal elections to state and federal elections. This is a great option for those who will be out of town on Election Day or who want to avoid long lines.”

Early voting is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 31 and Friday April 1 at the County Election Board, 555 N. Denver Ave. Early voting is not available at polling locations.

Freeman reminded voters to keep the integrity of the election system in mind when going to the polls April 5. While ballot “selfies” or taking photographs of a marked ballot legal, voters may not share or distribute the image through social media or by any other means while inside the election enclosure. Voters must wait until they leave their polling place before posting or sharing the picture with anyone. Improper use of the photo could be illegal. And voters may not uses the image to coerce, influence or intimidate another voter.

“While some offenses may seem minor, unlawful activity on Election Day constitutes a serious crime and could result in a misdemeanor or in some cases, a felony conviction,” she said.

Electioneering is prohibited within 300 feet of any ballot box while an election is in progress. That includes wearing or bringing visible campaign related paraphernalia into the election enclosure.

Freeman said that no one except election officials and voters waiting to vote are allowed within 50 feet of any ballot box on Election Day. Certain exceptions are made for the media and those helping disabled voters.

Consuming alcohol of any kind within one-half mile of a polling place on Election Day is prohibited.

Polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on April 5.