News Briefs for 3-29-09

March 28, 2009 10:42 pm

— Voters can still cast absentee ballots in April 7 elections

Registered voters in Garfield County who want to vote by mail absentee ballot in the April 7 elections have missed the deadline, but they still can cast absentee ballots in person.
Voters can cast their ballots Friday or April 6 at the Garfield County Election Board office, 903 Failing. A two-member, bipartisan absentee voting board will be on duty 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day to assist absentee voters.
Registered voters in Garfield County will vote in the April city of Enid municipal runoff, the annual school runoff and general municipal elections in Garber, Lahoma, North Enid and Waukomis. Voters also will cast ballots in special elections in Covington and the Cimarron Public Schools bond election.
“In-person absentee voters fill out an application form when they get to the office” said county election board secretary Lue Ann Root. “They are not required to give a reason for voting absentee. They are required to swear that they have not voted a regular mail absentee ballot and that they will not vote at their polling places on election day.”

News & Eagle receives 4 awards at AP/ONE program

The Enid News & Eagle received four awards Saturday night at the annual Carl Rogan awards program sponsored by The Associated Press/Oklahoma News Executives.
The awards banquet was at Embassy Suites Hotel in Norman.
Senior writer Jeff Mullin received first place in the personal columns category.
Graphics director Pam Gumaer placed second in two categories, non-page one layout and graphics/illustrations. The News & Eagle was third in general excellence.
The News & Eagle competed with the Daily Oklahoman, Tulsa World, Muskogee Phoenix as well as newspapers in Fort Smith, Ark., Wichita Falls, Texas, and Lawton.