the
Volume 118, Issue 9 v
VISTA “Our Words, Your Voice.”
vistanews1903 @thevista1903 @thevista1903 The Vista ucentralmedia.com Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Inside UCO contact tracing
INSIDE
What to expect if you test positive for COVID-19 Jacob Silva/Sarah Hite Sports Editor/Editor-In-Chief
Absentee Ballots Information from the state election board on requesting, completing and returning your absentee ballot. See Pg. 7
Decision 2020 Section The Vista brings you coverage of multiple races, candidates and important dates.
Contact tracing, a technique used to isolate individuals who may have been exposed to a virus such as COVID-19, has been adopted by universities this fall to reduce the number of coronavirus cases on campuses. The University of Central Oklahoma outlined its contact tracing plan before the start of the semester, and the Vista investigated what that process looks like for the students and faculty involved, and what degrees of success the program has had. Vice President for Communications and Public Affairs at UCO, Adrienne Nobles, explained what a student, staff
or faculty member goes through upon receiving a positive test. The COVID-19 Response Team at UCO is a group of UCO employees, led by the UCO Department of Public Safety, who have been trained to contact trace in addition to their regular job duties. “When a report of a positive test is sent through our online reporting system, a member of the COVID-19 Response Team will follow up with a phone call to ask when they were last on campus, where they were on campus, if they were wearing a mask/were socially distanced, and who may have been within six feet of the person for more than 15 minutes,” Nobles said. Those who are confirmed to have
been exposed to the positive case must then be given their next steps from a member of the response team. The team reaches out via a phone call and asks further questions to ensure minimal exposure to the community. Recently a Vista contributing writer contracted the virus. Preston Poole said his experience with the response team seemed successful in regard to himself. “So I reported that I had tested positive for covid last Wednesday to the school via their webpage they have set up. Later that night someone called me from the school to ask me some questions,” Poole stated. Continued on Pg.4
Campus rides into biking challenge
See Pg.4-8
HIV Testing The university is providing access to HIV testing on campus for students who wish to get tested. See Pg.3
Around Campus Events are happening all over campus this week! Experience the Black Girl Magic Celebration! See Pg. 2
The Wellness Center is offering a free t-shirt for those completing the Biking Broncho Challenge. Those involved have the option of cycling on campus or cycling at home. (Chris Lomelin/The Vista)
Chris Lomelin Contributing Writer
The Biking Broncho Challenge reached 25 participants Friday at the University of Central Oklahoma’s Wellness Center by registering online to reach a fitness goal of 100 miles. UCO’s Wellness Center has updated its registry of students, faculty and staff for those who wish to participate in this month’s Biking Bronchos Challenge, showing as many 25 people signed up to partake. The challengers will need to accumulate a minimum of 100 miles of biking to complete the challenge within a span of five weeks. The Wellness Center is giving away
a free t-shirt for those who complete the challenge and log their results online before the challenge ends on November 5. The challenge is being spearheaded by the Wellness Center’s Intramural Recreational Specialist Brandon Bermea, who joined UCO in August and runs sporting events not associated with the university’s other athletics teams. “A lot of students here say that all sports are cancelled and think intramurals are under that as well, but we’re actually not a part of anything like that”, Bermea says. “This challenge is something brand new that
we’ve never done before here.” People who enter can cycle on their own at home if they have a stationary bike, at the Wellness Center or out on their own bikes. “All you would need to do is take a screenshot of your miles and then send them to me via email or through the online website,” Bermea says as he refers to imleagues.com, the site that participants first go to register for the challenge and how they keep track of their miles. “I will also personally keep track of their score, all they need is to make Continued on Pg. 3
2 | The Vista
Tuesday, Oct. 20 OBI Blood Drive for Big Pink: From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday, join Big Pink in Ballroom C of the Nigh University Center for a blood drive benefitting The Oklahoma Blood Institute. Give blood to give back and help save a life. Wednesday, Oct. 21 Lunch at the Lab: UCO student jazz groups will play free concerts every Wednesday from noon-1 p.m. outside the Jazz Lab. Viewers can bring their lunch and enjoy the talent at socially distanced tables. This week features the Dr. Geib Jazz Rep Combo. Black Girl Magic Celebration: Beginning at 1 p.m. students can join the virtual Black Girl Magic Celebration to engage in conversations, panel discussions and workshops that explore how African American women can maintain their authentic selves as they go through life as students, professionals, citizens and family members in a complicated world. This year's theme is "For the Love of Melanin: Mind, Body and Soul." Registration for the event is available at https:// www.uco.edu/student-resources/odi/ diversity-outreach/black-girl-magic/.
October 20, 2020
Fall Fest: From 4-6 p.m. at Plunkett Park, join UCO Health Promotion and Peer Health Leaders to honor UCO students whose lives were lost to drunk drivers. Learn about safe drinking habits, how to track your alcohol consumption, being an active bystander, and determining consent when alcohol is involved. A limited amount of free food will be provided. UCO Musical Theatre Concert Series: The Apple Tree in Concert: Join the UCO School of Music's Department of Musical Theatre Wednesday through Saturday night at 8 p.m. for it's second production in the outdoor series. These socially-distanced productions take place in the courtyard of the CFAD House, located at 320 E Hurd Street in Edmond). Thursday, Oct. 22 2020 Virtual Oklahoma Compost Conference - Large-Scale Composting: Join UCO's Office of Sustainability and Student Transformative Learning Record from noon-1 p.m. for the third session of this year's Oklahoma Compost Conference. The last session will take place on Oct. 29 and a final Q&A will be held Oct. 30. Sessions are $10 each. Scholarship opportunities are available for students who cannot afford to attend by emailing info@okcompostconference.org.
Around Campus
Big Pink Pumpkin Patch: Come swing by Big Pink's table to learn about the Susan G. Komen foundation. Donate to the cause to receive a mini pumpkin! Black Girl Jeopardy: From 5-7 p.m. in the Nigh University Center Ballroom B, the American Association of University Women at UCO will present an interactive game of Jeopardy that focuses on the contributions and achievements of Black Women. Theatre Arts: Radium Girls- Live Stream: The University of Central Oklahoma Department of Theatre Arts returns to the stage with a modern interpretation “Radium Girls.” This production will be live-streamed for free at 7:30 p.m. Thursday–Saturday, Oct. 22-24 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 via UCO On Demand. UCO On Demand: streaming.uco.edu
VISTA
Staff
Sarah Hite Kiel Kondrick JaNae Williams Jacob Silva Cici Simon Lyric Peterson Tanner Laws Tanner Johnson Bryce McKinnis Cynthia Faulkner
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Copy Editor Sports Editor Photo Editor Social Media Editor Photographer Reporter Reporter Adviser
Advertise with us! The Vista is published weekly during the spring, summer and fall semesters. In all issues, The Vista has opportunities for both digital, online and print ads. For information or questions contact: 405-974-5549 or thevista.ads@gmail.com
Monday, Oct. 26 UCO School of Music: Jazz Ensembles II & IV: Beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Mitchell Hall, the UCO Jazz Ensemble II under the direction of Jeff Kidwell and Jazz Ensemble IV under the direction of Zac Lee will present an evening of big band jazz music featuring a wide variety of student talent. Tickets are available for purchase online via the Mitchell Hall box office website or by calling 405-974-2100.
Friday & Saturday, Oct. 23-24 Theatre Arts: Radium Girls- Live Stream: The University of Central Oklahoma Department of Theatre Arts returns to the stage with a modern interpretation “Radium Girls.” This production will be live-streamed for free at 7:30 p.m. Thursday–Saturday, Oct. 22-24 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 via UCO On Demand. UCO On Demand: streaming.uco.edu
To submit events for next week’s Around Campus, please email thevista@ucentralmedia.com. Include the title of your event, time and place, and a brief description. Descriptions are subject to editing.
the
UCO Musical Theatre Concert Series: The Apple Tree in Concert: Join the UCO School of Music's Department of Musical Theatre Wednesday through Saturday night at 8 p.m. for it's second production in the outdoor series. These socially-distanced productions take place in the courtyard of the CFAD House, located at 320 E Hurd Street in Edmond).
Front page tease photos, from top: Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times via AP AP Photo/Charlie Riedel Cici Simon/The Vista Cici Simon/The Vista
UCO’s Student Voice Since 1903 The Vista is published as a newspaper and public forum by UCO students, weekly during the academic year, at the University of Central Oklahoma. The issue price is free for the first copy and $1 for each additional copy obtained.
EDITORIALS
Opinion columns, editorial cartoons, reviews and commentaries represent the views of the writer or artist and not necessarily the views of The Vista Editorial Board, the Department of Mass Communication, UCO or the Board of Regents of Oklahoma Colleges. The Vista is not an official medium of expression for the Regents or UCO.
LETTERS
The Vista encourages letters to the
editor. Letters should address issues and ideas, not personalities. Letters must be typed, double-spaced and must include the author’s printed name, major, classification and phone number. Phone numbers are included for contacting purposes only. Letters are subject to editing for libel, clarity and space, or to eliminate statements of questionable taste. The Vista reserves the right not to publish submitted letters.
ADDRESS LETTERS TO:
Editor, The Vista, 100 N. University Dr. Edmond, OK 73034-5209, or deliver in person to the editor in the Communications Building, Room 131. Letters can be emailed to thevista@ucentralmedia.com.
HIV Testing/Biking Bronchos
October 20, 2020
The Vista | 3
UCO offers free rapid testing for sexual health
Thatcher Hall creates a comfortable environment while students wait for their test results. The University of Central Oklahoma offers sexual health services, free of charge to help students stay stafe and healthy. (Cici Simon/The Vista)
Logan Long
Contributing Writer
UCO is now offering free rapid HIV testing to students latin the Women’s Research Center and BGLTQ+ Student Center in Thatcher Hall, Room 106. “Thanks to our partnership with Diversity Family Health, testing is free,” Director of the Women’s Research Center and BGLTQ+ Student Center, Dr. Lindsey Churchill, said. “The testing just involves a finger prick, and you get your results in 15 minutes.” The testing sessions are completely
confidential, and no insurance is required to request a test. The tests are offered from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. There are no requirements to receive the test, although students are encouraged to bring their ID, Churchill said. HIV prevalence within college-aged students may be higher than many think, making this service something that could potentially help many students. “Since a large number of college students have unprotected sex, col-
lege students can be considered a risk group,” Churchill said. “The CDC reported in 2018 that 21 percent of HIV infections occurred in youth populations (13-24 years old).” UCO also offers other sexual health services to students, free of charge, to help students stay as safe and healthy as possible. “At the Center we have free condoms and lube. All are welcome to come in whenever we are open and get these items. We can put them in a bag for you, so you are discreet. We also are working on getting free pregnancy
tests since we have some students who are scared/embarrassed to buy them,” Churchill said. “We want to offer a shame-free space for UCO students to feel comfortable. We know that sexual health is part of overall health and well-being for our students” she said. “We also work with our community partners to periodically have STI testing and HPV vaccines for students for free.” To learn more about taking charge of your sexual health visit the Center or contact Churchill at lchurchill@ uco.edu.
Campus rides into Biking Challenge Continued Continued from pg. 1
The UCO Wellness Center is participating in the Biking Broncho Challenge. The goal is to reach 100 miles for each students fitness goal. (Chris Lomelin/The Vista)
sure whatever app they use calculates their distance in miles.” After initially registering using their campus credentials, participants will receive follow-up emails from Bermea to let them know of deadlines. “I’ll send the first message in the beginning to let them know how many miles they’ll need, then another message prior to the end of the challenges, and then one final message on the last day of the challenge to let them know to submit their final mile count,” Bermea says. The Biking Bronchos challenge, which began Oct. 5, has since seen a rise in registrations in recent days. “Monday, I started out with 16 people, and as of today I have 25 now,” Bermea says. When asked about previous challenges, Bermea noted that they had the Marathon Challenge, where participants would need to accumu-
late a total of 26.2 miles throughout the month of September, where they had over 60 people sign up. For those that participated in the Marathon Challenge, like Wellness Center Assistant Director for Business Operations Cheryl Duke, receiving the free t-shirt at the end wasn’t the only reason she signed up. “We all feel so isolated right now,” Duke says, “and this felt like a way to get reconnected with others.” Another participant in the Marathon Challenge, Assistant Director for Adaptive Sports Leigha Pemberton, also stressed the importance of the challenge. “Everything is spaced apart appropriately so you still feel like you’re getting to be with your friends and be social, but you’re doing it in a safe way, and I think we all need that right now - to be connected safely.”
4 | The Vista
October 20, 2020
Inside UCO contact tracing Continued from Pg. 1
They asked him what class he was in and who the professor was. They also asked what days he was on campus, if he might have come in contact with anyone outside his class and if he had told anyone. “Once I got my results, I contacted everyone I was around on campus before I reported though. They said they’d reach out to people I might have come in contact with, but I’m not sure they ever did,” Poole stated. UCentral, the campus newscast, has reported that those who have been exposed can experience long wait times to receive directions from UCO’s COVID-19 response team. Shannon Chuah, a participation crew member of UCentral, was featured in a story about his experience with the contact tracing team and IMMY labs testing facility on campus. Chuah thought he may have been exposed to the virus so he took advantage of the free testing on campus. He was tested and before receiving his results, he received an email from the response team explaining that a faculty member reported his possible exposure. The email informed him, he should quarantine and contact UCO’s tracing hotline. However, the phone number listed on the email was the UCO police department. “I tried calling them over the weekend … UCO PD picked up the call and they really didn’t know what to do. They told me that the person in charge wasn’t available on weekends at all,” Chuah said. As an on-campus resident, Chuah explained it was frustrating trying to follow the quarantine rules while still accessing food services on campus. “No one said anything about bringing me food, there was nothing, just ‘figure it out yourself ’ … There has to be more people on-call, it’s called a response team for a reason,” Chuah said. When asked about these potential wait times, Nobles added, “When a student, faculty or staff member makes a report via the online form, they receive an automated response via email that details instructions for quarantining and getting tested. These instructions should be followed as soon as possible without waiting for a call back from a member of the response team.” Additional team members have
been added to UCO’s contact tracing team in the last week, and more may be added as students and faculty enter the winter. The response team’s website includes a self-reporting form so that if a positive case is confirmed, that member of the student body or faculty can inform the university. Positive cases can also be reported by calling the COVID-19 response team at 405974-2345. The UCO website lists that same number as the number for campus police. When asked about this connection, Nobles added that the Department of Public Safety is leading the COVID-19 Response Team, which explains the connection. Another way the university has attempted to increase transparency around its COVID-19 response is with the UCO COVID-19 Dashboard. This dashboard, similar to the program the Oklahoma Department of Health uses and updates daily, provides detailed information on how many active cases, recovered cases, and total cases the university has at a given time. Although, upon using this tool on a daily basis, the Vista and UCentral news have experienced inconsistent reporting. When members of those two respective news teams emailed the COVID-19 response team to ask when the dashboard would be updated, they received mixed messages. One member said that each day it would update at 2 p.m. although this did not appear to be the case after two weeks of use. Multiple times, after a member of UCentral noticed the dashboard had not changed in two to three days, they would email the response team. In comparison, other local universities have also created a COVID-19 tracking tool. For example, the University of Oklahoma’s contact tracing tool details the reason for the number of individuals in isolation or in quarantine. As of Oct. 8, 40 people experienced symptoms, 50 people had a household exposure, 71 tested positive and 196 were exposed. Another university to consider is Oklahoma State University. OSU’s coronavirus dashboard details the number of tests used and the number of positive cases, showing a 4.36% positive testing rate. The dashboard also shows the specific number of positive cases in athletics, as well as how many self-reported cases there
Contact Tracing
A medical staffer performs tests for COVID-19 at a drive-through at Rome’s Leonardo Da Vinci airport, Friday, Oct. 9, 2020. Italy’s new confirmed caseload Friday passed 5,372, the highest levels since March. (Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse via AP)
are. Each dashboard provides a total number of faculty and student positive cases, and also details to various degrees the positive cases in housing. UCO’s Monday edition of Centralities has specifics on COVID-19 oper-
ating updates. Included are reminders on how and where to use the self-reporting tool, the newest issue of the student code of conduct, and a direct link to the dashboard.
Election Coverage
October 20, 2020
The Vista | 5
Know Your Candidates – Bice v. Horn Tanner Johnson Reporter
U.S. Rep Kendra Horn and state Sen. Stephanie Bice are running for the 5th District congressional seat, which includes most of Oklahoma, Pottawatomie and Seminole counties. Horn is an attorney who defeated two-term incumbent Republican Steve Russell in the 2018 election. In unseating Russell, Horn became the first Democrat to take the 5th District in 44 years, and just the third woman Oklahoma voters have sent to Washington. Horn is the former manager of communications and media relations for the Space Foundation, and is a founding member of Women Lead Oklahoma, a nonprofit aimed at engaging women voters and getting more wom-
en involved in civic life. In her reelection campaign, she is emphasizing protecting and improving healthcare, education and women's empowerment. Horn is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of centrist Democrats focused on fiscal responsibility and enacting bipartisan legislation. She also serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Science, Space, and Technology Committee, according to Business Insider. Horn recently proposed a tax package that would raise income taxes on high earners to fund an increase in the tax credit available to low-income workers, saying she is trying to make the tax system "more fair." The tax package would target prescription drug companies and foreign
Candidate Profile – Jim Inhofe Gretchen Houk Contributing Writer
Sen. Jim Inhofe campaign headshot. (Provided/ Jim Inhofe Facebook)
Oklahoma Sen. Jim Inhofe is running for reelection on a Republican platform. His main political stances centers around less government involvement in Oklahomans’ daily lives. Throughout his time in the Senate, Inhofe helped pass major tax cuts and repeal over 1,500 regulations. Under Inhofe’s tenure, Oklahoma saw low rates of unemployment. At the beginning of Obama’s presidency, Inhofe worked with other senators to extend the Federal Highway Program by 18 months, allowing Oklahomans who work in highway construction to extend their contract. He serves as Chairman of the Senate
subsidiaries for revenue. Bice has served in the Oklahoma Senate from the 22nd District since 2014. She also serves as Chair of the Senate Finance Committee. Her job is to control state spending, which includes requiring legislative approval of line-item budgets for Oklahoma’s largest state agencies. Her campaign platform emphasizes supporting gun rights, opposing abortion and improving Oklahoma's infrastructure and education system. Bice defeated Terry Neese, a businesswoman, and the former national co-chair of President Trump's small business advisory council, in the Republican runoff. According to her campaign website, Stephanie modernized Oklahoma’s
Candidate Profile – Abby Broyles Gretchen Houk
Armed Services Committee and has supported pay raises for active U.S. troops as well as veterans. Inhofe sponsored the WALL Act of 2019, which calls for the full funding of the President’s border wall, $25 billion, according to the bill, and restricts immigrants’ eligibility for some federally-funded benefits, such as food and housing benefits, even if they are eligible to work in the United States. If reelected, Inhofe has said he plans to fight the Democrats’ proposed Green New Deal, limit the government’s involvement in healthcare and oppose tax-payer funding for abortion. (Most abortions are not funded by taxpayer money, with the exception of pregnancies that result from rape or incest or lead to life-endangering circumstances.) Inhofe is a member of the U.S. Senate Rural Health Care Caucus, and he supported the repeal of the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act. Inhofe was elected into the Senate in 1994. Before, he was mayor of Tulsa and served as a U.S. representative. He has chaired the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, and became chairman of the Armed Services Committee after John McCain’s death in 2018.
liquor laws by engineering the first overhaul since 1959 when prohibition was repealed in Oklahoma. A pro-life conservative, Bice has been endorsed by Oklahoma Right to Life and has maintained an A-rating from the National Rifle Association. She received the Oklahoma State Chamber of Commerce Rising Star award and was selected a member of the Governing Institute Women in Government Leadership Class of 2016. Election Day is November 3. The deadline for obtaining a mail-in ballot is Oct. 27. That date, one week before Election Day, is also when experts suggest you have mailed your ballot to ensure it arrives by Election Day.
Contributing Writer
Abby Broyles campaign headshot. (Provided/ Abby Broyles Facebook)
Abby Broyles, Oklahoma journalist and attorney, is running against Sen. Jim Inhofe on a Democratic platform. Broyles began working as a journalist in Oklahoma City after graduating from California Baptist University in two and a half years and spent most of her TV career at NBC affiliate KFOR. During her time at KFOR she obtained a law degree from Oklahoma City Univeristy. During her time as an investigative journalist, Broyles covered many high-profile stories involving Oklahoma politicians, leading to felony charges against Oklahoma Senator Kyle Loveless and exposing a sexual
harassment scandal at the state Capitol. If elected, Broyles has said she will support climate change initiatives, gender pay equity, increasing affordable healthcare and criminal justice system reform. She supports the Paycheck Fairness Act, which would prevent employers from disciplining employees who discuss salary, and said it would help close the gender pay gap. In accordance with democratic policy, Broyles supports the expansion of Medicaid to be offered to Oklahomans who cannot afford healthcare. She is also on record as saying that rural hospitals are vital for rural communities and not only provide healthcare but also jobs. Broyles supports military funding and opposes reduced pay raises and benefits for service members if she is voted into the Senate. Broyles also supports the Second Amendment and promises to oppose gun confiscation but will push for background checks for gun owners. She also said she will speak up for small Oklahoma farms in the trade war with China. Broyles told Tulsa World that she will prioritize expanding rural broadband to give Oklahomans in rural areas more access to the internet.
6 | The Vista
October 20, 2020
Election Coverage
Understanding your sample ballot
JaNae Williams Copy Editor
Voters in Oklahoma can obtain a copy of their sample ballot through the Oklahoma State Election Board’s OK Voter Portal. Each county has a different ballot with federal and state elections, as well as, specific county and local races listed. In many counties the ballot is
two-sided. For Oklahoma County, voter’s will cast their vote for 16 races and two state questions. Additionally, all Oklahoma voters have the option to vote straight party. One thing to remember if choosing to vote straight-party: any race without a candidate in the chosen affiliation will not be voted. Voting straight-party also does not cast your ballot for the retention or recall of judges. These must be individually marked on the ballot.
Voters should also be aware of the laws regarding taking selfies or photographs of ballots, filled or unfilled. In Oklahoma it is a misdemeanor to share a ballot selfie with the “intent to intimidate, coerce, or unlawfully influence another voter,” according to the OSEB. While voters can hand-deliver their own absentee ballots, it is illegal to hand-deliver the absentee ballot of anyone else. Only standard absentee ballots can be hand delivered, phys-
ically incapacitated ballots must be mailed in. Postmarking a ballot by the deadline does not qualify it to be counted. New legislation was also passed this year regarding ballot harvesting. This can include requesting, returning, receiving or filling a ballot on behalf of another person. For complete information on elections, ballots and voting, visit https:// www.ok.gov/elections/.
Election Coverage
The Vista | 7
October 20, 2020
Oklahoma faces challenge with absentee votes
Harris County election worker Romanique Tillman prepares mail-in ballots to be sent out to voters in Houston. Texas is one of just a handful of states that declined to expand absentee voting this year because of the the pandemic. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
JaNae Williams Copy Editor
The Oklahoma State Election Board is reporting a record-setting number of requests for absentee ballots across the state. As of Friday morning, the OSEB had received requests for nearly 310,000 absentee ballots, more than any other single election in Oklahoma history. More than 141,000 ballots have been returned to county election boards. “It’s almost triple what we saw in 2016 during the presidential election,” said Misha Mohr, Public Information Officer for the OSEB. However, the state of Oklahoma will not allow any of those ballots to be counted until Nov. 3. According to Mohr, ballot barcodes are scanned once they are received by local election officials to give voters their voter credit history. The ballots are then locked away until a special public meeting takes place with a bipartisan board. “That bipartisan board will go through each and every one of those absentee ballots to ensure that they have been executed properly, that the proper ID was attached or that they have been notarized,” Mohr said. “At that point, those ballots are then gathered up, they are run through the machine, and the votes are not actually tabulated though until after 7 p.m. on election night.” Physically incapacitated absentee ballots are checked for two witnesses to their signature during the bipartisan board meeting as well, Mohr added.
“It may be the wee hours of the morning before we get through tabulating all of those, but we will definitely have a pretty good idea of who won in this state on election night.” -Misha Mohr Several changes have been made to absentee ballot handling for the 2020 election. “Thankfully our legislature was thinking ahead and this past spring they did pass a bill to allow those county election boards to begin processing those ballots earlier than normal,” Mohr said. Under previous legislation, county election boards had to wait until the Thursday before election day to begin processing absentee ballots. The new bill allows counties to begin that process earlier, with the approval of OSEB Secretary, Paul Ziriax. Ziriax granted approval for all counties ahead of the 2020 general election. “That has been extremely helpful for, especially these larger counties, you know Oklahoma County, Tulsa County, Cleveland County, where they’re seeing tens of thousands of absentee ballots come through,” Mohr
said. “They’re able to hold multiple meetings as they’re receiving large batches, so that they can go ahead and begin that verification process.” According to Mohr, this change is one reason Oklahomans will see results on election day, rather than having to wait. “It may be the wee hours of the morning before we get through tabulating all of those, but we will definitely have a pretty good idea of who won in this state on election night,” Mohr said. Voters have until Oct. 27 to request an absentee ballot in Oklahoma. However, the United States Postal Service recommends that absentee ballots be mailed at least one week prior to the deadline that they must be received. In Oklahoma, mailed absentee ballots must reach county election boards by 7 p.m. on Nov. 3. This means the deadline to request falls on the same date the post office recommends having your ballot mailed out. “The most important thing is to remember to allow yourself enough time to request your absentee ballot, to vote that absentee ballot and to return that absentee ballot,” Mohr said. Standard absentee ballots can also be hand delivered to a person’s county election board. This must be done by the end of business day Nov. 2. Absentee ballots come with specific instructions on how to fill them out correctly. It is important to follow these instructions exactly as there is currently no system in place in Oklahoma to notify voters of a rejected or erroneous absentee ballot prior to election day.
How to help at your county polling site Jacob Silva Sports Editor
For those looking to volunteer at polling locations, Public Information Director for the Oklahoma State Election board Misha Mohr says that “we are still constantly looking for poll workers. We’re looking for people to become involved. If you are interested in becoming a poll worker, contact your county election board secretary.” If an opportunity like this interests you, be sure you contact the county that you are registered in, as you are unable to volunteer in a county you are not registered to vote in. Those who choose to volunteer should expect training to take place before election day. JaNae Williams contributed to this story.
Oklahoma Voter Portal Visit the portal to determine your polling location, view sample ballots, and request an absentee ballot at https://okvoterportal. okelections.us
8| The Vista
October 20, 2020
Election Coverage
Key elections to watch for in Oklahoma County David Swank Contributing Writer
Four key races will be determined for Oklahoma County on Nov. 3. The sheriff, county clerk, county court clerk and county commissioner for District 2 are all being voted on this year. These positions provide services that affect people at a daily level. “County services have expanded in recent years to include provision of healthcare and medical services, economic and industrial development, social services, and informal adult and youth education programs in science and agriculture, among others, often working with educational institutions located within country borders,” according to John Wood, of UCO’s political science department. This is a historic election as one of the candidates will be the first Black sheriff in Oklahoma County’s history at a time when the country is increasingly concerned with minority and law enforcement interaction. The county sheriff ’s website states that their mission is “to provide professional and quality law enforcement, custodial, and court related services to all persons and to effectively perform all duties mandated to us by the laws of the United States of America and the State of Oklahoma in a professional, ethical, and cost efficient manner.” Running for this position is Tommie Johnson III, as a Republican, and Wayland Cubit, as a Democrat.
The Oklahoma County Courthouse holds the offices of the Oklahoma County’s assessor, commissioners, county clerk, court clerk, district attorney, sherrif and treasurer. The offices for sherrif, county clerk, court clerk and county comissioner are all up for vote in the Nov. 3 General Election for Oklahoma County. (The Provided/ Wikimedia Commons)
reform. The county clerk’s office is responsible for processing and maintaining uniform commercial code filings, registar of deeds and the county’s accounts payable and receivable department along with the county payroll, according to the Oklahoma county website.
Chicoraske
Johnson
Cubit
Johnson has worked for the Oklahoma University and Norman Police departments having been promoted to the rank of Master Police Officer. According to his website his goals for the sheriff ’s office include fiscal responsibility, safer communities, better communication between citizens and county officers. Cubit has been in law enforcement since 1996 and is a lieutenant with the Oklahoma City Police Department where he established the F.A.C.T. Unit (Family Awareness and Community Teamwork). His goals for the sheriff ’s office as stated by his website include transparency, accountability, providing mental health resources for residents in crisis, and criminal justice
website, and it is the county court clerk’s duty to record and maintain court records for those cases. The office also provides services for “passport processing; marriage licenses; and licensing of private process servers and low point beer providers.” Running for this position are the incumbent Rick Warren, a Republican, and Charles De Coune, a Democrat. Warren has served as county court clerk since his election in 2015. On his Facebook page, Warren stated, “I’ve actually brought 35+ years of business management experience to the County office.” De Coune received a bachelor of
Hicks
Hooten
Running for the county clerk office are Christina Chicoraske, a Democrat, and David B. Hooten, a Republican. Chicoraske is the former executive director of Uptown 23rd where programs such as open streets brought businesses and neighborhoods together for economic development and a stronger sense of community. According to her website she believes “that the county government must be more accessible, transparent and accountable.” David B. Hooten, the incumbent, according to his website is a “Grammy and Emmy nominated trumpet player,” who has released more than 20 albums. He has a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree from OU. He is also the founder of Children’s Music Education Foundation. Around 120,000 new cases are filed a year in the county, according to its
parts of the county. The Board of County Commissioners is a three-member panel that is responsible for the general supervision over all county fiscal affairs. Running for office in District 2 are Spencer L. Hicks, a Democrat, and incumbent Brian Maughan, a Republican.
Warren
De Coune
business administration from UCO, and according to his website has worked as a chief operating officer of Advanced Science and Technology Education Centers Charter Schools. He is currently a lending manager in charge of a $1.5 billion portfolio. He said he wants to ensure that the “Court Clerk’s office that is led ethically, transparently, and with respect to every person it serves.” The county commissioner for District 2 covers an area that includes Bethany, Warr Acres, Choctaw, Harrah and Nicoma Park as well as unincorporated areas to the eastern
Maughan
Hicks has a bachelor’s degree in public relations from Oklahoma Baptist University and a master’s in writing from Oklahoma City University, according to his website. He was special assistant for Gov. Brad Henry for four years. Hicks said he wants to repair the county roads and bridges, build a new county jail, reform the criminal justice system and to be accountable and transparent to the taxpayers. Brian Maughan has been in office since 2008 serving three consecutive terms. According to his website, before being elected, Maughan worked as a public Affairs Consultant for AT&T. His focus is on infrastructure, opportunities for youth and transitioning the operational authority of the jail to the jail trust oversight committee. David B. Hooten headshot provided by Ballotpedia.com All other headshots provided by official candidate Facebook pages.