Early Voting Begins In Oklahoma

Early voting in Oklahoma is starting just a little bit earlier this year. This stems from the passage of House Bill 2663 back in 2021, which allows for an extra day of early voting in even numbered years. These are years in which there are mid-term and presidential elections.

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Gwen Freeman, the Tulsa County Election Board secretary, says that since voter turnout is usually higher during those types of elections, it makes sense to her that there would be an extra day of early voting.

"It does seem to me that it makes sense that on those years when the crowds are expected to be bigger than normal, an extra day of early voting would probably help to kind of ease the congestion," Freeman said.

Not only does it give people an extra day to vote, the extra day also gives more people an opportunity to vote who may not have had the chance to do so.

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"If a Wednesday added on to the other early voting cycle kind of adds to that where it encourages people who otherwise couldn’t come out and vote that adds to that kind of crowd, then we’re very, very happy to do it," Freeman said.

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Anyone looking to cast their vote during the early voting period will be required to bring a proper ID. This includes a photo ID such as a driver's license or your voter registration card.

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Early voting will take place at the Tulsa County Election Board office and at the Hardesty Library on Wednesday, November 2, through Friday, November 4, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday, November 5, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Election day is on Tuesday, November 8, and the polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.