Tulsa Voters Up Early, Wait To Cast Their Ballots

Some voters were up before dawn waiting for Tulsa polling sites to open Tuesday.  

I talked with voters at one polling location where nearly 100 people were lined up before the polls waiting to vote.

At the Hardesty Regional Library in the 8300 block of East 93rd Street, poll workers said they expected long lines all day long. 

Jeff McMains was in line 40 minutes before the polls opened.  He says he's been keeping tabs on all of the races for months so he was relieved to make it to the voting booth.

"So I'm glad to have it behind us. I'm glad to have our votes cast," said Jeff McMains.

Not only did McMains cast his ballot, but his 18-year-son will vote for the first time.

"He's done a lot of research and my wife is a school teacher so we have some local, you know, votes that are important to us," said Jeff McMains.

The Tulsa County Election Board says it is prepared for long lines all day, adding nearly 300 extra poll workers across the county.  

Chris Foster waited more than an hour -- and says the process took a little longer than expected.

Chris Foster: "Just seems like it takes a while to read through the names, get your ballot and get to the box." 

With several political races and state questions on the line -- some voters say it was worth the wait to make their voices heard in his election.

"It's a right that we have and a lot of people have died for," said Jeff McMains.

Oklahoma's polls close at 7 p.m.

News On 6 election night coverage begins at 5 p.m. followed by the CBS Evening News and then an hour-long News On 6 at 6 p.m.  Then stay with us throughout the evening as we team up with CBS News to bring you the fastest, most accurate election results on the air and NewsOn6.com.