Oklahomans line up again to cast ballots
The raincoats and umbrellas were missing Friday, but the long lines and enthusiasm were not.
Voters basked in sunshine and warm temperatures at several polling places across the Oklahoma City metro area, eager to cast their ballots on Day 2 of early voting.
Oklahoma continues to feel the effects of an ice storm that left more than 200,000 without power this week. Outside the Moore Norman Technology Center in south Oklahoma City, a man leaned on a snapped tree branch and looked at his phone as hundreds nearby waited in a line that stretched the length of a football field.
Air Force veterans Bill a nd Deborah Dockery, of Moore, stood near the end of the line outside the technology center. Neither husband nor wife seemed to care one bit that
it would be at least two hours before they could vote.
“I knew that everybody was concerned about this election this year ,” Bill Dockery, 62, said. “I was glad to see (the turnout).”
The Black couple said they were voting for change. Deborah, 60, said she wants to see “the police reformed” along with justice and equality.
“I think we should be treated equal ,” she said. “I don't think it should be based on the color of your skin, your nationality or your race. As a U.S. citizen, we should be treated equally.”
Nearly 115,000 Oklahomans cast ballots in person by 5 p.m. on the state's second day of early voting, the Oklahoma State Election Board reported. More than 370,000 Oklahomans already have voted, including by mail.
In-person absentee voting continues from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in all counties of the state. Mailed absentee ballots will be accepted through 7 p.m. Tuesday, the day of the election.
Near noon at the Edmond Church of Christ, voters expressed gratitude, excitement and impatience as the wait lasted four hours or longer for a second straight day.
“There is a God,” one man
said as a Good Samaritan handed out free donuts to those waiting in line. “That woman said four hours!” a motorist yelled to a woman who had stopped driving to ask how long the wait was.
“The historic-ness of early voting, that's a good thing,” said Bono Stewart, 35.
Stewart had been in line for an hour when he joined others who took advantage of someone opening the doors to the church's activities center, which has restrooms.
“We've still got another two hours,” he said. “I'm thinking on the 3 rd, it' s gonna be worse. With the unpredictable weather, it could be worse.”
Campaign signs filled the median on Lincoln Boulevard outside the Oklahoma County Election Board in Oklahoma City.
Motorists were backed up at least one mile north. A long line of voters snaked from the side walk to the voting booths.
Patsy Anderson, 64, was undeterred by what would be at least a 90-minute wait to cast her ballot.
“People are serious,” she said. “They want a president that will look out for the people, to care about what the people are going through. Maybe they'll see these people are serious.”
As Anderson took her spot inline, others passed by, having voted in what they said was an even crazier election than 2016.
“This is a whole `nother
ball park ,” said Heather Presley, 43.
Presley got inline just after 8 a.m. She voted just after 10 a.m. She said she's looking forward to the end of political ads on TV and the internet.
“I'm ready for this to be over,” she said.
In Oklahoma County, 10,057 residents voted in person by 5 p.m. Friday. More than 255,000 Oklahomans sent absentee ballots by mail, including nearly 80,000 residents of the state's largest county.
Oklahoma House Minority Leader Emily Virgin, D-Norman, took issue with the long lines and voiced her concerns on Twitter.
“Seeing reports of unacceptably long lines to early vote ,” Virgin said in her tweet .“This has to be addressed by future policy, but if you're still trying to vote, know t hat you al so have the option to go to your polling place on Tuesday where far fewer voters can vote than the early voting locations.”
Cleveland County, which had 29,347 mailed ballots, reported 9,962 residents voted by 5 p.m. Friday.
Like many who waited longer than they wanted to, Amber Kerenge of Norman, said it was important to have her voice heard.
“In other countries, people don't have this right and this freedom,” Kerenge, 35, said as she exited the Cleveland County Election Board in Norman.