March 21, 2026 Issue, Page 12 of 14

Page Text

12• SATURDAY, MARCH 21, 2026 The Elk City News Deadline To Change Party Affiliation Approaches Bar-B-Q Teams Oklahomans who want to change their party affiliation must submit their change no through August 31 during an even-numbered year. "If we receive your request participate in primary elec- tions, only if a party official- ly requests its elections be Voter Registration Applica- tions can be downloaded from the State Election Board web- Prepare for Farm later than March 31, Beckham after March 31, we are required opened to Independent voters. site at oklahoma.gov/elections. County Election Board Sec- retary Sherron Manning said today. Voters may change their by law to hold that request and process it in September," Man- ning said. Currently, no party allows In- dependent voters to participate in its party's primary elections. Applications are also avail- able at the Beckham County Election Board located at 306 and Home Expo party affiliation online using Oklahoma has three recog- More information about pri- E. Main Street, Sayre. Office By Sheryl Ponce with the cooks’ meeting on Friday, the OK Voter Portal at okla- nized parties: Democratic, Re- mary elections can be found on hours are 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 April 10th at 6 p.m. All forms and homa.gov/elections/ovp or by publican, and Libertarian. the State Election Board web- p.m., Monday through Fri- Southwest Farm and Home Expo entry fees will be due, and there completing a new Voter Regis- In Oklahoma, a voter must site at oklahoma.gov/elections. day. For questions, contact the Bar-B-Q Cook-Off teams need to will be meat inspection during this tration Application. be a registered member of a All registered voters, regard- County Election Board at 580- plan for the annual competition that time. The check-ins and set-ups will Manning reminds voters party in order to vote in that less of political affiliation, may 928-3314 or beckhamcounty@ will take place April 11th and 12th. start Saturday, April 11th at 7:30 that no party affiliation chang- party's primary election. In- vote for any candidate during a elections.ok.gov. It is time for competitors to RSVP a.m., through Sunday, April 12th at es are allowed from April 1 dependents are permitted to General Election. for their spot in the event. The first 8 a.m. six to enter will be provided the Judging for the contests will meats for the competition. Addi- start on Sunday at noon, and the tionally, they have added a dessert awards will be announced by 4 Early Voting Begins April 2nd category to the standard brisket, ribs, and chicken categories. Call or text Randy Smith at 580-821-0803 to make reservations. p.m. The turn in times on Sunday include chicken at noon, pork ribs at 1 p.m., beef brisket at 2 p.m., and dessert that will be prepared on site Early voting begins Thursday, or State Election Board-from polling locations. the Election Board at 580-928- This competition has one-hun- is 3 p.m. April 2nd for voters in Beckham school board and municipal Some voters may need assis- 3314 or beckhamcounty@elec- dred percent payback from the paid The weekend will be filled with County. Voters who will not be elections to state and federal tance to vote because they are tions.ok.gov. entry fees for each category. There exhibitions and entertainment. The able to make it to the polls on elections. This is a great option blind or visually disabled, phys- Voting will only be for voters will be awards for first, second, and bar-b-q competition is one way to Election Day, have the option for those who will be out of town ically disabled or infirmed, or in Beckham County that reside third places, along with the Grand get out and see who will have the of voting early at their County on Election Day or who want to illiterate. Such individuals may in the following school districts Champion. The entry fee for each best entries. It is the chance to have Election Board. avoid long lines," Manning said. request to have an assistant or for School Board Candidates: category is $25. Pellet, propane, and proven bragging rights for the next Beckham County Election Early voting is available vote privately and independent- Canute: Darrell Price or Car- gas grills will be allowed. neighborhood or family bar-b-q. Board Secretary Sherron Man- Thursday, April 2nd and Friday, ly using the ATI device attached rie Shelton Mangum: Billy Pe- The schedule of events kicks off Make reservations now. ning, said early voting is open April 3rd from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 to the voting device. Those who terson or Anna Rogers to all voters. "You do not need p.m. at Beckham County Activ- require assistance should talk to Sentinel: Amy Sanders or Ri- to provide an excuse to vote ear- ity Center (fair barn) located at their precinct official or contact ley Ridling for Seat 1 Sentinel: ly. Oklahoma allows early vot- 310 E. Main Street, Sayre, OK. the County Election Board di- Beau Moles or Aaron Spinhirne ing for all elections conducted Manning reminds voters that rectly for instructions. for Seat 4 by the County Election Board early voting is not available at For questions, please contact Candidate Filing Begins April 1st Purchase Early Bird Statewide election activi- ty officially begins at 8 a.m. are expected to be filled this year: (even-numbered districts) State Representative (101 offices) Beckham County Election Board at 580-928-3314 or beck- Tickets for Wild Wednesday, April 1st, when the U.S. Senator (1 office) State Senator, District 17 [email protected]. candidate filing period opens, the Secretary of the Beckham County Election Board said to- U.S. Representative (5 offic- es) Governor Lieutenant Governor Attor- (Special term) Election-unexpired State Representative, District The Beckham County Election Board is located at 306 E. Main St., Sayre, OK and is open from Plumb Jam Now day. ney General State Treasurer 92 (Special Election-unexpired 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday By Sheryl Ponce to $40, but children 12 and under Candidates for state offices Superintendent of Public In- term) District Judges and Asso- through Friday. get in free with an adult present. file with the Secretary of the struction State Auditor and In- ciate District Judges Filing packets for all offices The Fifth Annual Wild Plum Jam The gates will be opening at 5 p.m., State Election Board. Candi- spector Commissioner of Labor County Treasurer County are also available for download is going to be held Friday, July 17th, while the music starts at 6 p.m. dates for county offices file with Insurance Commissioner Assessor on the State Election Board's at Sayre’s City Park, at 6 p.m. Early This is an evening of fun for the the Secretary of the County Corporation Commissioner (1 County Commissioner (Dis- website at oklahoma.gov/elec- bird ticket sales begin March 15th entire family. There will food trucks Election Board. office) tricts 1 and 3) tions. and run through noon on July 17th, and the Watering Hole Beer Garden Beckham County Election District Attorney (one elect- Filing forms and informa- The filing period closes at 5 for $35 per ticket. They may be pur- for adults. The event takes place in Board Secretary Sherron Man- ed from each of 27 districts) tion for county offices may p.m. Friday, April 3rd. chased on Dust Bowl Days Face- conjunction with Sayre’s Dust Bowl ning said the following offices State Senator(24 Offices) be obtained by contacting the book page and www.dustbowldays. Days, where Sayre celebrates “The com. The event is for all ages and love of the land, homegrown high- will take place rain or shine. way, and 250 years of America.” The The show will include Pat Green, musical line-up is full of talent that Casey Donahew, Caroline Grace, will be supporting Sayre’s rich his- Land Auction 400 ACRES and Tyler Wilhelm. On the day of the event, ticket prices increase Outreach Programs for Seniors Available tory of perseverance and dedication to the area and to the land. Thursday, April 16th - 10 A.M. Southwest Oklahoma Com- munity Care Outreach has pro- grams available to seniors age ADvantage services for in-home support. If any senior citizens would like Sellers: Steve & Becky Kellogg Southwest of Cordell, OK 60 or older. We can help with Nutrition programs providing congregate meals as well as home assistance with any of these pro- grams, contact OUTREACH at 580-234-7475 or swokoutreach@ delivery meals, family caregiver ltcaenid.org. Serving Beckham, TRACT 1 support program, transportation Custer, Kiowa, Roger Mills and services, legal aid services and Washita counties. Friends of the Library Hold Poetry Contest April is National Poetry Month, To enter the contest, poets should which is the world’s largest literary write an original poem and email ƵĐƟŽŶ,ĞůĚKŶƐŝƚĞdƌĂĐƚϭ celebration. it to [email protected] or Ϯ͕ϬϴϮ^Ƌ͘&ƚ͘,ŽƵƐĞϯĞĚϮĂƚŚ The Academy of American Po- bring a printed copy to the library ĂƌŶͬ^ŚŽƉŽŶϰϬĐƌĞƐ ets began the celebration in 1996 to by April 30, 2026. highlight the importance of poetry Please submit only one poem KƉĞŶ,ŽƵƐĞ͗DŽŶ͘ƉƌŝůϲǦǚϱͲϴW͘D͘ in our culture through activities per person. Winners will receive such as poetry readings and school cash prizes and their poems print- &ĂƌŵůĂŶĚͻ'ƌĂƐƐůĂŶĚͻ>ŝǀĞƐƚŽĐŬĂƌŶƐ and library events. ed in the newspaper. The age cat- WŽŶĚͻƌĞĞŬͻĂƐLJĐĐĞƐƐ The Friends of the Elk City Car- egories are the following: Adult, negie will hold its annual poetry High School, Middle School, In- contest to celebrate the creative termediate School, and Elemen- talents of area students and adults. tary School. TRACT 2 TRACT 3 ŝƌĞĐƟŽŶƐ͗ &ƌŽŵ,ǁLJ͘ϭϱϮΘ,ǁLJ͘ϰϰ - South of Burns Flat, OK - 2 Miles South &ƌŽŵŽƌĚĞůů͕K< - 10 Miles West on Hwy. 152, 2 Miles South on Hwy. 44 &ƌŽŵŝůůŝƚLJ͕K< - 2 Miles West on E. 1200 Rd., 1 Mile South on Hwy. 44 ZŽŐĞƌŶƚnj EdƵĐƟŽŶ www.entzauction.com & Realty, /ŶĐ 405.663.2200 ƵĐƟŽŶĞĞƌͬƌŽŬĞƌϳϱϬϮϬ SCAM ALERT - Email Phishing Scam SCAM ALERT: ODVA Email fairs (ODVA). It is a SCAM de- Phishing signed to steal your personal If you received an email simi- information. lar to the one in this photo (be- DO NOT click any links. low), DO NOT CLICK ANY- DO NOT submit your info. THING. DELETE the email immedi- This is NOT from the Oklaho- ately. ma Department of Veterans Af-