Study: Oklahomans Less Likely To Vote Than Other States

<p>A new study claims Oklahomans are less likely to go out and vote than people in every other state.</p>

Wednesday, November 2nd 2016, 10:34 pm

By: News On 6

Study: Oklahomans Less Likely To Vote Than Other States

Early voting in Oklahoma starts Thursday, but how many Oklahomans get out and cast a ballot?

A new study claims Oklahomans are less likely to go out and vote than people in every other state; one of the issues keeping people from voting is concerns of potential voter fraud.

With historically low voter turnout - and the number of actual registered voters in Oklahoma low as well - only time will tell if people here get engaged.

"There seems to be a lot of people that are questioning the security of the election," said Tulsa County Election Board secretary, Patty Bryant.

But, despite the concerns, Bryant said there is no need to worry about voter fraud.

"Oklahoma has one of the best, safest voting systems," she said.

The ballots get scanned and dropped into secure boxes, so it's not an internet-based machine. Bryant said it does have a thumb-drive, but since it’s not connected to the internet, it’s not open to hackers.

"If we have to do a recount we have the paper trail from the paper ballots," she explained.

If voter fraud isn't keeping people from voting, a new online study says something is; WalletHub ranks 2016's least politically engaged states, and Oklahoma comes in last.

Online Voter Tool

The study found Oklahoma ranked very low for the percentage of registered voters and for the number of people who voted in the last presidential election.

Marty: "People are posting on Facebook, they are posting on Twitter, giving all their opinions, saying what they think, but they actually don't go to the polls?"
Charlie Defranco: "They actually, they won't make their way to the poll."

Those we spoke with say it's because people don't feel like their votes matter here.

Alex Hudson said, "I mean, there is just so many people, there is so many, it just doesn't feel like it does."

"When it actually comes time to vote and give their two cents, they won't," Defranco said.

So are you going to make it out to vote?

Let's say you have to work and you don't think you can get away to vote? Guess what, if you give 24-hour notice verbally or in writing to your employer, they must let you go and your pay cannot be docked if you show proof you voted.