By james art It was a popular option, with nearly 80,000 Oklahomans voting Wednesday. StateImpact spoke with people leaving the polls in Oklahoma City and El Reno to learn why they voted early and what they had to say about the experience.
Voters at the Oklahoma County Board of Elections waited in a long line that wound around the building and its large parking lot, but said the experience went quickly and smoothly. In El Reno, people consistently file through a makeshift polling place at the local fire station.
The common refrain: These Oklahomans said they are excited to vote this election and are encouraging others to do the same.
Marlene Vestal, 83, voted early in Canadian County. She said she had no excuse not to vote.
“I’ve always voted since I turned 18,” Vestal said. “And well, you just have to vote or you can’t get caught, right? You can’t get caught for four years if you don’t vote.
Early voting continues at the following times:
- Thursday, October 31: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m
- Friday, November 1: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m
- Saturday, November 2: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m
Available in at least one county location, but may differ from your polling place on Election Day.
To find your early voting location, find your polling place on Election Day, or view a sample ballot, visit the OK Voter portal. You can find more information about voting from your state and county election boards.
This report was prepared by the Oklahoma Public Media Exchange, a collaboration of public media organizations. Help support collaborative journalism by donating at the link at the top of this webpage.