Oklahoma City’s street paper $2 Suggested Issue 67 2020 VOTER GUIDE Donation 8:30 Scan QR code to Download the app. A LETTER FROM THE EDITOR OCTOBER 2020 >> Nathan Poppe discusses voter registration, Curbside’s latest voter guide and the overturning of a local anti-panhandling ordinance. 4 Misha Mohr shares advice on how to vote by mail in Oklahoma 8 Our 2020 Voter Guide will get you ready to vote on Nov. 3 26 Sonrisa Nowicki reflects on voter disenfranchisement 29 On the Move highlights Marsha who recently secured housing 30 Marcos at the Movies highlights movies with dark themes Cover illustration by: Nëka Schultz Schultz is an illustrator from Oklahoma City, currently designing at Walt Disney OKC Day Shelter guest Dillard York, left, registers to vote with Homeless Alliance Imagineering. Their career has been a web intern Alli Wilson-Burns on a rainy Sept. 23 afternoon. [Photo by Nathan Poppe] of whimsical illustrations, quirky frame-by- frame animations, character designs, storyboards, comic diaries and colorful ain or shine, Alli Wilson-Burns walked outside the OKC Day mural paintings. The vibrant art on the Shelter and asked an important question: Are you registered to Curbside Chronicle cover was made in vote? Dozens said no and decided to change that fact. While hopes to catch your eye, inspire our holding an umbrella, I chatted with a few day shelter guests. Some communities to come together in solidarity, R take action to make a difference and to get had never voted before in their lives. Others thought they were still disenfranchised and weren’t allowed to vote. We’re grateful for the chance to help out there to vote. You can follow their work their voices get heard at the ballot box and beyond. on Instagram at @nekaschultz. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve stared at a ballot and not known half the names listed or what they do. If that sounds familiar, then our voter guide was made just for you. It was designed to disarm intimidation and inform voters of all parties on how to have a successful Nov. 3. It’s a big day for Oklahoma. I’m aware voting isn’t a perfect remedy for our problems, but it does lend power to people who make an impact on our everyday lives. Just check the news. In late August, you might’ve noticed a federal appeals court overturning a local anti-panhandling ordinance that was originally sparked by a 7-2 vote of the Oklahoma City Council. A Curbside vendor was actually a plaintiff for the case. Sound familiar? Back in 2015, there was a fear that stricter restrictions on who could stand near streets might mean the end of vendors selling this magazine — as well as our unique avenue to getting people housed. Curbside feels the same way we did back then. There are more helpful, constructive ways to address public safety and anti-panhandling laws aren’t one of them. That same law was amended years ago to only cover medians running along roads with a 40 mph speed limit or higher. So, Curbside vendors avoided those Director Ranya Forgotson intersections and found other safe venues to sell. Today, our vendor coordinator Nathan Poppe David Delgado continues helping vendors discover and cultivate small slices of OKC Editor-in-Chief as we offer an alternative to panhandling. All this to say, our elected representatives Advertising Whitley O’Connor reflect our priorities, but it’s up to voters to guide our best interests. Take your time Vendor Coordinator David Delgado to learn more about these candidates and help strengthen our city, state and country with thoughtful, compassionate leaders. Make your vote count every chance you get. Address: 1724 NW 4th St. OKC, OK 73106 General inquiries: 405-415-8425 Vendor assistance: 405-628-2367 The Curbside Chronicle is Oklahoma City’s street paper. It was Email: [email protected] created to provide both a voice and employment for people experiencing homelessness. Our vendors buy magazines at 75 Follow us on social media at @CurbsideOKC cents per issue and sell them for a suggested $2. They keep the profit. Thanks for your support in ending homelessness in OKC. A PROGRAM OF THE HOMELESS ALLIANCE GOOD TO KNOW Practical advice from passionate people common, must be received by mail no later than 7 p.m. on Nov. 3 or they can How to vote be hand-delivered to your County Elec- tion Board no later than the end of busi- ness day on Nov. 2. The choice is yours! by mail By Misha Mohr Only you, the voter, can hand-deliver your ballot and you will be asked to show ID. Why? It’s one more step in the checks and balances system. > Welcome to our column, Good to Know. The idea is to explore topics — in a quick and easy way — that can be part of your everyday life. We hope it'll both entertain and A frequent concern for absentee vot- educate a broad collection of readers who are mindful about everything from food and fun to politics and public transportation. ers is postage. Postage will vary from voter to voter. While some voters may have only one standard length ballot, others may have three or four ballots of varying sizes. My best advice? Look Presidential elections can often In Oklahoma, absentee ballots require at the outside of your envelope. How lead to information overload. That’s verification on the front-end, which much did it cost for it to be mailed to where I come in. Sit down and have a provides proof that the person who re- you? You’ve found your answer! If you cup of coffee. Let’s tune out the noise quested the ballot is the same person receive a “standard” absentee ballot, and get down to the basics when it who voted with the ballot. but change your mind about voting by comes to casting a ballot here in mail, you can always vote in-person Oklahoma. What kind of verification is needed? during early voting or on Election Day. State law requires that “standard” ab- You will be asked to sign an affidavit As the public information officer for the sentee ballots be notarized. “Physically stating you haven’t submitted your ab- State Election Board, I take calls and incapacitated” absentee ballots must sentee ballot. emails from voters around the state as have the voter’s signature witnessed well as press and media outlets around by two people. Since a COVID-19 state A right with responsibility the country. They often start with, “I of emergency is in place, voters of both heard….in another state.” It’s important ballot types also have the option to Voting is a right, but with it comes per- to remember that Oklahoma is not like sign their absentee ballot affidavit and sonal responsibility. We have to uphold other states when it comes to elections. include a copy of their valid photo ID our end of the deal. Make sure your We’re different, in a good way. or voter registration card. (This is the voter registration is current. As long as same ID that is required when you vote you have not moved to a new county, Unlike many states, Oklahoma has a at the polls). The SEB’s website even you can update your voter registration uniform voting system. Voters across has an online list you can search by address or political affiliation online the state vote the same way, using the county to find a business near you that through the online OK Voter Portal. same voting machines and same pro- offers free notarization and ID copies — Also, consider being a poll worker. cedures. Our county election boards some with curbside service! We’re always looking for people with are in regular contact with the SEB and a desire to serve their community and election officials are trained using the While no excuse is needed to apply for learn more about the election process. same training manuals. an absentee ballot, voters with special Contact your County Election Board for circumstances may benefit from indi- details. And finally, vote! The deadline Let’s talk absentee ballots cating an excuse, such as those who to register for the Nov. 3 General Elec- are physically incapacitated or care for tion is Oct. 9. The absentee ballot process is different someone who is physically incapacitat- in every state. In Oklahoma, no excuse ed. When it comes to elections one thing is needed and you can request your is certain — there is a delicate balance ballot online using the OK Voter Portal Oh, mail, oh my! between security and convenience — at elections.ok.gov/ovp. You can also and in Oklahoma, we think we’ve found contact your County Election Board to While we can’t speak for other states, just that. have an application mailed to you. The Oklahoma election officials have a deadline to request an absentee ballot long-standing relationship with our for the General Election is 5 p.m. Oct. state and local postal officials. We work 27. My recommendation? Don’t wait! together to ensure that election mail is top priority and that every piece makes Although the terms are often used in- it into the hands of election officials. terchangeably, mail-in voting typically This fall, after talks with postal officials, the SEB will implement the use of green refers to ballots that are issued to all Editor note: Misha Mohr is the public voters in a state, where in-person vot- return envelopes for absentee ballots, information officer at Oklahoma’s SEB.