Early In-Person Voting Begins In Oklahoma

Nearly 150 people lined up Thursday morning to cast their ballots early.

This year, in addition to the Tulsa County Election Board, early voters could go to the Hardesty Regional Library. This is the first time the county has offered two early polling places.

Despite the second location, the lines were still long.

"I thought I could just get in quick and come out, but this, this line is all the way out to the street and so, I'm gonna have to come back," Jenifer Garcia said.

Tulsa County is one of only three counties in Oklahoma with more than one early voting site. Election Board secretary Patty Bryant said it should ease congestion.

"It's far enough south that we would serve those voters, and then we're far enough north on this side that we could hit all of the northern parts of the county and the western parts and downtown workers," she said.

There were long lines of people countywide coming out to vote. The Tulsa County Election Board said nearly 800 people cast their ballot in the first hour alone.

County Election Boards

The lines were long at Election Board headquarters on North Denver, but Tracie Chandler said it was shorter than previous years.

"I've been out here and it was all the way out to the street and around the block and stuff. No, this is a short line," Chandler said.

Even though there's two sites this election, voters say they expect high turnout at both locations through Saturday and again on Election Day.

Garcia said, "On the radio, they were saying Oklahoma's the least politically active, but we are. I mean, look at this, we are active. We're ready to go."

Early voting continues until 6:00 Thursday night, then, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

It's the shortest statewide early voting period in the country. The election board says to expect long lines and a lengthy ballot, so they suggest knowing how you're going to vote when you walk in the door. We've broken down each state question in a story on NewsOn6.com.

11/1/2016 Related Story: Understanding The State Questions On The Oklahoma Ballot

If you want to wait until Election Day, November 8th, polls across the state are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 

Find Your Oklahoma Polling Place