New Law Changes When Oklahomans Can Vote Early

A new law has changed when Oklahomans can cast their ballots early.

"Starting this November, early voting days in Oklahoma have changed from Friday/Monday to Thursday/Friday," said State Election Board Secretary Paul Ziriax.

The change is the result of the governor signing Senate Bill 869, which was passed by the legislature earlier this year.

"As a result, Thursday, November 7 is the first day for in-person ‘early' absentee voting in counties with elections on Nov. 12. The hours for early voting remain 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Early voting on Monday is discontinued," Paul Ziriax said.

The state Election Board says because the November 12th election is not a federal or state election, but rather a special election, no Saturday early voting will occur this month.

However, whenever it's available, the hours for Saturday early voting at county election board offices statewide will change to 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Paul Ziriax says the change from Monday to Thursday will help County Election Board officials focus entirely on election day preparations, instead of conducting early voting the day before an election.