Will voting hit a record today in Oklahoma?
After a big absentee turnout, state prints more ballots

Comments Comment on this article168

BY MICHAEL MCNUTT
Published: November 4, 2008

If the turnout for in-person absentee voting the past three days is any indication, Oklahomans appear headed today to break the record voter turnout set four years ago.


Voters line up at Millwood High School in Oklahoma City today. Photo by Paul B. Southerland

Featured Video

Advertisement

After hearing of people waiting two to three hours in line Friday and Saturday to vote in Oklahoma and Tulsa counties, state Election Board Secretary Michael Clingman said Monday he had about another 100,000 ballots printed.

He already had ordered 2 million ballots, which should be more than enough if voters eclipse the turnout of 1.46 million voters in 2004. That was about 150,000 more than the number of voters casting ballots in 2000.

Clingman said it’s possible 1.5 million Oklahomans will vote in this year’s general election.

"We’ll be close,” Clingman said. "I wouldn’t be surprised at a record, but it could be right where it was four years ago.”

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today. It "would be unusual” if voters have to wait more than an hour to vote today, he said.

Reasons vary for early turnout

A couple factors could be driving the large crowds early to the polls, Clingman said.

"We certainly can tell that the campaigns have enthusiastic supporters well beyond what we had four years ago,” he said. "And early voting is certainly better known than it was four years ago.”

It’s also a historic election. Voters have a chance to vote for the first black president or the first woman vice president. In Oklahoma, Republicans could take over the state Senate for the first time in history.

Keith Gaddie, a University of Oklahoma political science professor, said it’s also been a long presidential campaign and the large early turnout could be an indicator that "a lot of people just want to get it out of the way.”

"This is a two-year campaign, and I think a lot of people just want the closure of voting and having it off their plate,” Gaddie said.

Nationally, a lot of the enthusiasm is attributed to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama, but in Oklahoma, the Republican presidential nominee, John McCain, is attracting voters to the polls, he said. McCain is helped in Oklahoma by his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, who has excited conservatives.

"Palin definitely has helped with the base, but she’s not helping with swing voters,” Gaddie said.

If swing voters go for McCain, it’s because they "are not comfortable with Obama,” Gaddie said.


 

Related Topics: U.S. State Government, U.S. Government, Politics, U.S. Politics, Elections and Voting, Election Campaigns, U.S. Presidential Election

Toolbar sponsored by: David Stanley Ford
Ads by Yahoo!

Junkmycar.com
Read this Towing & Wrecking Service's reviews & find Auto Info.
Oklahomacity.Citysearch.com
Oklahoma City Jobs
$30/Hour Work From Home Jobs.View Home Jobs Now! Computer Required.
National-News-Gazette.com

shareView All

Buzz Up!


Leave a Comment

Something to say about this topic? Submit a Letter to the Editor online

Thank you for joining our conversations on newsok. We encourage your discussions but ask that you stay within the bounds of our terms and conditions. Please help us by reporting comments that violate these guidelines. To review our rules of engagement, go to Commenting and posting policy.


Log in below or sign up (it's free).





I am proud to be part of the history being made! Rock it Obama!
Cassie, Moore - Nov 5, 2008 at 8:25 am
And Obama wins!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jiohdee, atlanta - Nov 4, 2008 at 10:02 pm
Reading this is quite the disgrace! This is why the world is the way it is. We can't find a common ground about anything. I am an african american but who cares. Who cares that Obama is half african american and half white.Obama inspires younger people to keep dreaming in the way that we have always been tought to dream.The world can't get much worse than it already has under Bush. We are in 2 seperate wars with over 5,000 deaths our economy is horrible. And all Barack has done is bring true racism to the table. That is part of the world that us younger people believe to not even exist. Not often do we speak of skin color because we dont see it. We believe that we are equal and that we can all achieve the same goals. So why is the older generation still not letting go.No one wants your dang pitty. And no one wants you to believe we are playing the race card because dang it everyone in the world can use that. It is time for people to shut their mouths and do what they have to do personally to make this world a better place to maybe even sacrifice a few things and quit being so dang selfish.Its time to believe in more than ourselves and believe in each other. What Barack Obama does on a daily basis is the same thing we all have to do and that is take a look at ourselves in the mirror and make a personal decisions. Our personal decisions not only affect ourselves but those around us.If you are rich or poor whatever you are we need to learn how to share and learn how to give up something to get something. We should all stay open minded and just believe!Believe that we can make this world a better place regardless of who the dang president is. Put your faith in your candidate and allow others to do the same. Just be at peace with your decision.
keyshia, Oklahoma City - Nov 4, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Brilliantly stated Stewart!
BILLY, MUSTANG - Nov 4, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I think some of you people need to go back to school and get an education so you can stick to the issues. Just speak your mind, what little you have and stop attacking people that post.
Stewart, Norman - Nov 4, 2008 at 5:11 pm
There is plenty to fear in the world we live today. We shouldn't fear each other. But, with the widespread usage of meth and crack, some human beings have turned into monsters. Are you a monster? You can get help. I was almost a monster, but someone very strong and charismatic saved my life. Perhaps that someone will come along for you, too. For too long liberty in America meant doing whatever you wanted, no matter who got hurt. That isn't liberty, that reckless abandon. We love our liberty, we won't tolerate malicious idiots.
Mike, Oklahoma City - Nov 4, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore Mike
Keep your handouts and give me a man with character for President. I don't care about his character but I do care if he has grit. Obama has no grit. If I had a bunch of thugs for friends I would stand by them if they were my friends. He has turned his back on most his friends that the average American will have no part of!
BILLY, MUSTANG - Nov 4, 2008 at 4:59 pm
Ya, its whatever. You all knows its like who is the best candidate. When it come down to respekt, ya'll know it Obama who come out ABOVE da ReSt!
Brandon, Norman - Nov 4, 2008 at 4:57 pm
yeah right jeff, like these right wing nutbags care or not if obama is assassinated. they are prayin for it! don't yOU think every black person in america has had that fear come over them. don't yOU think obama and his family live with that fear that everyday? that's just 1 reason why he's 1 of my heros, cuz he's smart, brave and has the cOurage to stand up to these racist nuts that will try and take him OUt. unlike mccain, who was just brave. yOU never heard a black guy say OUt lOUd they'd kill a white president. ok maybe they said that abOUt bush, but who doesn't want his head on a platter. remember bush has more enemies world-wide than bin laden does.
Jiohdee, atlanta - Nov 4, 2008 at 4:53 pm
thank yOU for the shOUt OUt, floyd! :-))
Jiohdee, atlanta - Nov 4, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I don't think he was entertaining the idea. I think he was just worried about it, like many are worried about McCain's age.
Jeff, Norman - Nov 4, 2008 at 4:34 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore Jeff
Mister, Bogata. Type "Jiohdee" into your search and read about him. It even has his picture.
Floyd, Oklahoma City - Nov 4, 2008 at 4:31 pm
v---you can't give a democrat time off during the day to vote. He'll come back stoned if he comes back at all. You had 3 days to vote already!What a whiner.
Floyd R, Purtle - Nov 4, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I love that line in the article: "If swing voters go for McCain, it’s because they "are not comfortable with Obama,” Gaddie said."

Could it be that I have a cognizant rationale for not voting Obama? No, it's because I'm not comfortable with him. Is that a politically-correct way of saying I'm not voting for him because he's "Black"?

I care less about the color of his skin and more about the content of his character. That is why I decided to vote for McCain/Palin.
Todd, Edmond - Nov 4, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore Todd
It may not be his identity that has been compromised, just his name and address. If the election official did not check ID's then anyone could have voted in his name.
james, oklahoma city - Nov 4, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Of course you know, Michael, that it is a felony to commit voting fraud. If this person did what you say, then we do have a problem. You identity has been compromised. You need to go to the police at once. You need to call your credit card companies. You need to check your credit rating. You're in some trouble. Now, about Obama possibly being assassinated in office. You know it can be considered a felony to even say "I would like to kill the president?" You don't think this internet thingee is monitored? You don't think they know who is posting on this website? You think we're all dumb as dirt! Well, think again. If you're even entertaining the idea of an assassination, then you may as well kiss your ass-assination goodbye in jail. I'm sure you'll be very welcome there. Now isn't this election a nice diversion? Go party tonight. Forget about it. You made your final statement at the polls - everyone but Michael, I guess.
Mike, Oklahoma City - Nov 4, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore Mike
keith yOU wOUldn't happen to be speakin in 1st person abOUt obama gettin shot by a wacko, wOUld yOU? if noone killed bush, then i think obama shOUld be fine. god bless yOU sick sick people. I guess in okkklahoma yall don't know how racist yall sOUnd to the 'real' world. if yall represent 'real' america i hope that part of OUr sick and twisted history dies off SOON! yall sit up here and say obama is inexperienced and done nothin, but in the same breath say he's done all these ungodly things and much OUt with terrorist like Ayers, but give bush a pass for bein in bed with the bin ladens. what hypocrisy! Obama's an evil socialist community organizer. don't yall have a clue that he was a constitutional law professor? I think he's well aware what he can and can NOT do as a president, unlike bush! bush is the one takin OUr rights, tappin OUr phones, readin OUr emails, spyin on us with cameras from space, callin people terrorist and lockin them up with no right to see an attorney! how american is that lil right wingers?
Jiohdee, atlanta - Nov 4, 2008 at 4:14 pm
I didn't see very many hispanics or asians in the long lines. At least black people voted in record numbers. All real americans should vote.
Stewart, Norman - Nov 4, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Watch out Keith. People might think you are on the inside track or something. HOw stupid would it be to assissinate someone just because of the color of his skin. People need to realize that we are all part of ONE RACE...THE HUMAN RACE!! Bush made lots of enemies too but alas he is still around. I don't see an assissination happening. Too much security around them since the last attempt on Reagan.
K, Oklahoma City - Nov 4, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore K
Hey Jenni from Yukon.... since you know so bleepin much.... I looked the man up in the phone book, he accepted my insurance, my insurance company did not refer me to him. He is an amazing doctor and personal friend. And beyond hilarity is the fact that he is a black man NOT backing a black man. YOU however are OBLIVIOUS to the fact that the BLACK CANDIDATE in question has beyond quesitonable ties to persons of Anti-American groups, no policy experience whatsoever, and NO executive experience to speak of..... well yeah let's put THAT person in charge of our Government, sounds like a good idea to me!
Nunya, Mustang - Nov 4, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Jan, Oklahoma City, hurling racial slurs doesn't really impress anybody - but by all means go ahead and continue making a fool of yourself. Does your mommy know you're playing around on her computer?
Jason, Edmond - Nov 4, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Hello, My name is Michael W Boock JR and I live in Edmond, OK. I went to vote today at my local polling station only to discover that someone else had signed my name EXACTLY as it was typed. Being that my name is unique I highly doubt that anybody within this area has the same name. I am quite furious and outraged, and feel that there is some voter fraud occuring within our great State. I feel as though my vote could now be possibly washed out due to the fraud that occured. It scares me as a US citizen that this type of thing occurs! Where is the check and balances? I can pretend to be anybody and go vote in that person's name? I am a TRUE believer that voter fraud is running rampant. I can only hope that MY CHOICE does matter.
Michael W Boock JR
C, Edmond - Nov 4, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore C
Women have wanted power for ages...and truthfully, we already have it to some degree...but what do you think this woman is going to do when she is given the power over so much?..lol
Cassie, Moore - Nov 4, 2008 at 3:56 pm
I agree with Keith, not that I want to see an American President shot, because I do not.... but how will you feel when the candidate that you and your liberal friends so clearly forced down everyone's throat is not around to pull us out of the mess that he so gleefully put this country in? Let's talk then! And when our troops come home and the full scale terrorist attacks happen, don't bother running for a bomb shelter with any of us, because your pompus behind will NOT be welcome. No I do not agree with us still being there, but I believe it is necessary for the American way of life to continue in the fashion to which we are so accustom. (meaning FREE of terrorist attacks unlike other countries which experience them everyday.... are your children safe today?? do you want them to remain that way?? how about when the terrorist come we just direct them to your place of employment and see how it feels to have to make the decision to die in a firey blaze, or jump to your death.... I'm sure your views would be different if you had actually been personally affected). But if I'm boring you then move on. I expressed my opinion, which is my AMERICAN given right, courtesy of the armed forces thank you very much!
Nunya, Mustang - Nov 4, 2008 at 3:56 pm
So....those with Common and Intellectual sense have spelling and punctuation issues?
Jeff, Norman - Nov 4, 2008 at 3:53 pm
Report as inappropriate or
Ignore Jeff

News Photo Galleriesview all