Increased Stakes May Boost Voter Turnout

Oklahoma braces for what might become a record-breaking election. Registration closed on Friday for Oklahoma's February primaries. Voter turnout in early elections in Iowa and New Hampshire shattered old records. The News On 6's Joshua Brakhage reports Oklahoma might expect the same.

The phones were ringing off the hook on Friday, with last minute applicants who wanted to register in time for Oklahoma's primaries.

"Oklahomans will have more than a voice than we've had in a long time, on both sides. We usually have one or the other have a fairly competitive primary. This time, both sides get to come at it and really make a difference," said Oklahoma Election Board Secretary Mike Clingman.

Oklahoma was a Super Tuesday state in 2004, and only a few candidates campaigned here. This Super Tuesday, even more states are up for grabs, but Mike Clingman says the Sooner State won't get lost in the mix.

"You're looking for good news that night and a win is a win. So, it might well be that some of the candidates who've come in third, like John Edwards, would spend more money here and try to get some news out of some of the smaller southern states," said Oklahoma Election Board Secretary Mike Clingman.

Clingman expects the raised stakes with also raise voter turnout.

"I think we'll have a bigger turnout than certainly four years ago or even eight years ago. Both sides seem wide open. We're in that next big batch of primaries with New York, Illinois, California, so I think we'll have big turnout on both sides," said Oklahoma Election Board Secretary Mike Clingman.

Oklahoma has closed primaries which mean they're exclusive to Democrats and Republicans. Independents won't get a vote until the general election.

Oklahomans have until October 10th to register for the November general election.