OKLAHOMA CITY -- Heartened by a federal judge's decision to halt some provisions of House Bill 1804, Hispanic leaders said Monday at a state Capitol news conference that they are working to register more voters.

“There will be more Hispanics going to the polls in November than ever in the history of Oklahoma,” said Victor Orta, leader of the Coalition for the American Dream of Tulsa.

However, State Election Board Secretary Mike Clingman said he has not seen an upsurge in voter registration for this fall's elections.

Blanca Thames of Tulsa said she has been working since the last state elections two years ago, and has helped register probably 1,000 more voters.

Thames said the American Dream coalition has been setting up registration areas at places where Hispanics go, such as Wal-Mart stores. “But we register people in general, not just Hispanics,” she said.

Thames said Hispanic newspapers in Oklahoma also are encouraging members of their communities to vote.

Last Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Robin Cauthron of Oklahoma City granted a preliminary injunction sought by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to prohibit implementation of part of HB 1804, which the Legislature overwhelmingly passed and the governor signed last year. The bill is considered possibly the toughest anti-immigration state law in the country.

Basis of the injunction was that it could pre-empt federal law. A hearing on a permanent injunction has not been set.