Sayre, OK – Early voting for the Merritt Public Schools bond election will begin Thursday, Feb. 5, according to the Beckham County Election Board.

Early voting will be held Thursday, Feb. 5, and Friday, Feb. 6, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Beckham County Activity Center, also known as the Fair Barn, at 310 E. Main St. in Sayre. Early voting is not available at polling places on Election Day.

Beckham County Election Board Secretary Sherron Manning said early voting is open to all eligible voters and does not require an excuse. The option is available for all county and state elections and is intended to provide flexibility for voters who may be unable to vote on Election Day or wish to avoid long lines.

The election involves a bond proposal for Merritt Public Schools Independent School District No. 002. The proposition asks voters to approve the issuance of $28,530,000 in bonds to fund construction, equipment purchases, repairs, and remodeling of school buildings, as well as the acquisition and improvement of school sites. The proposal also authorizes the levy of an annual tax to pay interest on the bonds and create a sinking fund for principal repayment.

According to the sample ballot, the bonds would bear interest at a rate not to exceed 10 percent per year, payable semiannually, and would mature within 10 years of issuance. Voters will be asked to vote either for or against the proposition.

Election Day is Tuesday, Feb. 10, and only registered voters living within the Merritt School District are eligible to vote.

For more information, contact the Beckham County Election Board at 580-928-3314 or by email at beckhamcounty@elections.ok.gov.

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