It's election time again, and time to start thinking about which candidate's platform aligns close enough one's own. It is also a time to reflect on if a person believes the candidates are the best suited for the position they are running for.
Some people might question the candidate's agendas and believe their own beliefs are better suited for the position. The one thing that might hold the person back from putting their name on the ballot form is they do not believe they are experienced enough.
Running for county public service office may not require as much experience or education as one may think. A recent discussion with some Marshall County residents resulted in the misconception that running for county elected public service office entails a higher college education and extensive experience in a related field. This discussion was alarming and led to some research for facts on county legislature.
The thought of younger folks either not being interested or simply not understanding how local government works recalled a quote from Aleksandr I. Solzhenitsyn. "It's a universal lawintolerance is the first sign of inadequate education. An ill-educated person behaves with arrogant impatience, whereas truly profound education breeds humility."
Either way, the subject was reason enough to do some heavy research on county government and qualifications for these elected positions. The Oklahoma State website revealed that requirements for the local offices are opposite of what was originally believed.
The State of Oklahoma is divided into 77 counties. Every county has a county seat, and Madill is the county seat for Marshall County. Counties are extensions of state government and are primarily administrative bodies that possess executive and limited judicial powers, but not legislative powers. Research showed that county government responsibilities are related to managing, planning, and governing unincorporated land within their borders and further says, counties keep records of deaths, births, marriages, divorces, property ownership, and court activities.
Counties must maintain a court system, law enforcement, road and bridge construction, and voter registration. The Oklahoma State University extension office dives a little deeper into the definition.
"Oklahoma law states there are nine county offices where the elected officials responsible for the offices are elected by the eligible voters within t he county," the OSU office website stated.
These offices consist of three county commissioners, a county clerk, a county assessor, a county treasurer, a county sheriff, a court clerk, and a district attorney. The district attorney is elected by the voters from one or more counties within a district.
The OSU extension website on county government also lists each elected officer serves a four-year term in office. The terms stagger every two years. The term limits are to assist in change in the event a county resident feels a county office is not fulfilling its obligation in any manner. After the term of said county position is up, one could run for said office or select another candidate to do so.
The requirements to run for local government are found on the Oklahoma State website. "Oklahoma Statute 19131.1 Registration requirements for candidates for county offices: One must have been a registered voter within the county for the sixmonth period immediately preceding the first day of the filing period prescribed by law."
"Oklahoma Statute 19 132. Eligibility: No person shall be eligible to any county office unless he shall be, at the time of his election or appointment, a qualified voter of the county."
"State of Oklahoma experience/qualification/education for County Commissioner, County Assessor, County Treasurer: No particular job experience or education, training after elected."
The county offices on the ballot for 2022 are County Assessor, County Commissioner district 1 and 3, and the County Treasurer.
For anybody wishing to run for elected county office, the must declare candidacy. The candidacy declaration opens April 13, 2022 and closes April 15. Possible candidates must go to the Marshall County Election Board office located in room 301 inside the MC courthouse. They are open from 8:00a.m. to 5:00p.m. For any questions, contact Secretary LaRue Wilhite at 580-795- 5460.
This article is intended as a general map of county government in Oklahoma to attempt to eliminate the mystery behind running for county offices. A complete and accurate guide for county government elected officials can be found on the official Oklahoma State website Oklahoma. Gov.
The Marshall County Election Board is a direct source of official information on county office candidacy and can help any person interested in running for a county office. So, for any county resident who is considering running for office, please contact the Marshall County Election Board Office.
Marshall County's residents depend on the county officers. Frequent turn over may be the key to the honesty and integrity of a public servant, and it may require less background and education than one may think. A quote from Thomas Jefferson might help a person elected to office.
"When a man assumes a public trust, he should consider himself a public property." This may be as valuable as any prior qualifications or experience. Also, remember what Abraham Lincoln had to say about power.
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."