Oklahomans hit the polls Tuesday to weed out the contestants for several local, state and national races, although they didn’t hit them very hard.
Susan Aikman, polling location volunteer for the 14th precinct, said the turnout had been slower than normal in the precinct, which has an estimated 1,400 registered voters.
“It has been very, very slow,” she said. “We’ve had 50 people since 7 a.m.”
Aikman said one reason for the lower-than-usual turnout could be that OU is out of session.
“We’ll get a heck of a lot more in November,” she said.
Precinct 6 volunteer Dorothy Claxton agreed.
“We usually have a lot of young people voting, but they haven’t today,” she said. “I’m sure it’s because they’re gone for the summer.”
Polling volunteers at the 52nd precinct cheered when the 100th voter came to cast their ballot.
“It’s been miserably slow,” volunteer Adrianne Fox said.
Those who did brave the blistering heat and summer thunderstorm to cast their votes had many reasons to do so.
“I wanted to vote for sheriff,” Norman resident Tina Fowble said.
Six Republicans and two Democrats were on the ticket for sheriff.
If no one candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will be held Aug. 26.
Norman resident Sarah Denton said she voted because there is usually a low voter turnout in these early elections.
“It’s just a concern for us, as far as participating in our community, because we know a lot of people who aren’t voting,” she said.
Others voted to gain the right to “complain” about their elected officials.
“I vote whenever there’s a chance to vote,” Donna Bussey said. “You can’t complain later if you don’t vote.”
Other voters just like to complete the arrow.
“I just like to vote,” Rebecca Cryer said.
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admin1579 3 years, 9 months ago
THIS COMMENT IS FOR BETA TESTING ONLY:
If they'd give us exciting candidates then maybe turnout would be better!