MAPS 3 voter turnout steady

Oklahoma City residents are going to the polls to cast their ballots on the $777 million MAPS 3 proposal. Polls are open until 7 p.m.

Weather conditions resulted in one or two polling places opening late, Sanderson said, but things were running smoothly by midday.

Based on early voting totals, Sanderson estimated Monday that 25 percent to 35 percent of eligible voters will turn out for the election. Today he said the number may be closer to the low end.

"We'll know soon," he said.

About 800 people voted in-person at the Oklahoma County Election Board offices Friday and Monday.

Normal turnout for a city election is in the 8 to 15 percent range, he said.

"The turnouts for the MAPS-type ballots have been higher than other municipal elections,” Sanderson said. "The MAPS for Kids vote had 25 percent turnout, and the Ford Center vote last year had 31 percent turnout.”

If voters approve MAPS 3, the city will build numerous projects. The three biggest pieces of the plan are a new convention center, a 70-acre downtown park and a downtown streetcar system and transit hub. Also included in MAPS 3 is money for Oklahoma River improvements, State Fair Park, senior aquatic wellness centers, citywide biking and pedestrian trails and sidewalks.

The plan would extend a 1-cent sales tax currently paying for Ford Center improvements. The tax, set to expire March 31, would be extended for seven years and nine months.