New for the 2024 Osage Nation General Election year, the Wahzhazhe Elections Office is launching a new website feature for voters to look up election information, including status of requested absentee ballots for those voting by mail.
The deadline for Osages to request absentee ballots from the Election Office to vote in the 2024 General Election is April 19 by 4:30 p.m. (CST). Downloadable absentee ballot request forms are available on the Election Office website at: https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/services/elections
Once at the main Election Office website, voters must click the yellow “OSAGEVOTE” button to access the individual voter information section.
Once received and marked by voters, all absentee ballots must be mailed to the Pawhuska Post Office address printed on the postage-paid envelope provided with their absentee ballot. All absentee ballots must be received by the June 3 General Election Day to be counted with in-person voted ballots.
As of April 17, Election Supervisor Alexis Rencountre said her office has received a total of 2,897 absentee ballot request forms. That number is slightly higher than the approximately 2,700 absentee ballots requested to vote in the 2022 General Election, which included election races for Principal Chief and Assistant Principal Chief, as well as retention votes for the four Judicial Branch judges.
For the 2024 General Election, there are six of 12 Osage Congressional seats opening with each seat having a four-year term. There is also one Constitutional amendment question on the ballot asking whether confirmation of appointees should be allowed to take place in special sessions.
To access the voter information website section, voters must provide their first and last names, date of birth and Osage Nation enrollment number. On the website, voters can view the status of their absentee ballots, if they requested one by the deadline. Other information, including the polling place address and other in-person voting details are available.
For more inquiries, as well as further assistance to submit an absentee ballot request, the Wahzhazhe Elections Office is located at 604 Kihekah Ave. in Pawhuska and can be reached toll-free at (877) 560-5286.