Brad, Tulsa (11/1/2008 6:04:35 AM)

I was amazed as I drove by there yesterday afternoon -- thinking I was going to quickly vote. The line was snaked around so I couldn't really see the end of it. I knew then that I didn't have enough time to vote Fri & will go back this morning. I saw all the traffic first & thought something big may be going on at the BOK center not far away.

I didn't know that people were lined up before opening yesterday. I guess I'll head down there now to start standing in line!!

Brad, Tulsa (11/1/2008 10:10:59 AM)

Ok, I drove by at 7:40 am this morning & kept going... The sun wasn't fully up yet & the line went down the parking lot to the street & wrapped around Eastbound along the freeway. I couldn't see the end of the line. I guess I'll try again later. I have to admit that I am really impressed with all of the people voting this time -- probably a new record for Oklahoma!
The lines Tuesday probably won't be so bad because there will be local polling sites. As far as I know, there is only the one for our county for advance "absentee" voting.

If it took CKBep 45 min to get there from the street out front - I would guess the line this morning was 1.5 hours long -- but that's just a guess.

-Brad

Mike W, Tulsa (11/1/2008 6:06:51 PM)

Is it just me or is this just too much to not notice!?

One party wants you to email your ride request and another will take your call.
Mike W
Tulsa+
Who knows that telephone operators and drivers are on duty and on the ball in at least one local political party ;^)

Ckbep, Tulsa (11/1/2008 6:25:11 AM)

I got to the election board about 8:45 AM yesterday. The parking lot was full (I parked a couple of blocks away) and the line stretched out to the street, but the weather was lovely, everybody was upbeat, and the election board workers were all very friendly and helpful. It took me about 45 minutes from the time I joined the line until the time I fed my ballot into the machine. My only complaint is that the rows of voting booths were placed so close together--with only a narrow aisle between them--that it was hard for those who'd completed their ballots to get to the voting machines.

Overall, though, it was a very positive experience and I'm glad to have the task of voting behind me. I hope that the turnout is as strong on Tuesday!

Ckbep, Tulsa (11/1/2008 8:32:12 AM)

Ayo2: FYI, you can vote early on Monday, but not tomorrow (Sunday). For those who want to vote today (Saturday), the Tulsa County Election Board will be open until 1:00 PM.

The NBC evening news did a piece a couple of nights ago about the myths and rumors that have been circulating, including the "Republicans vote on one day, Democrats on another" misinformation, and the rumor that those whose homes are in foreclosure can't vote (not true).

Norman Bates, Bates Motel (11/1/2008 9:36:03 AM)

I'm going mid-day tuesday and the lines won't be near this bad

Ayo2, T-Town (11/1/2008 8:14:00 AM)

My 23 y/o daughter just called me. She drove by the election board after getting off work and said there is a long line. We had intended to vote on Tuesday, but we're now going to vote early. My day is packed today, so it will be tomorrow for me. My daughter is also organizing a watch party at a little bicycle bar downtown. There's definitely a new kind of buzz in the air with this election. I've never seen anything like this in America.

She also told me that someone in Virginia was handing out a professional looking flyer to voters that were in line to vote, saying that the Democrat voters were to vote on the 5th due to the high numbers of voter turnout this year. I haven't seen that on the news, has anyone else?

Ayo2, T-Town (11/1/2008 8:35:44 AM)

Thanks! I wasn't sure if they would be open tomorrow, but was going to call.

I think that's sort of scary about the misinformation, especially since there are so many new voters. I hope the news media gets this out on the airwaves.

I will have to say that this is the first time I've ever been excited to go and vote. Ever! There is definitely a buzz in the air over America. It's cool to see this.

Ayo2, T-Town (11/1/2008 11:12:17 AM)

It's okay, golffwife, he will win the country! He will be our next President. This is such a historic election! It's so exciting to see the enthusiasm of the people. People who actually feel the need to be CERTAIN that they get to vote. Historic.......on many levels.

Graychin, Eucha (11/1/2008 9:01:40 AM)

I voted in Jay, Oklahoma yesterday. We are a small county, so I got in and out without any lines at all, and even parked ten feet from the office door. I'm not gloating - I'm praising all you Tulsans who waited in long lines to do your civic duty.

If any place in America has a better voting system than Oklahoma, I can't imagine what it would be. Whoever had the wisdom and foresight to install the Oklahoma system (paper ballots, audit trail, fast electronic tabulation) deserves our undying thanks. The only improvement I can think of right now would be to make early voting available in more locations and for more days and hours.

Although there were no lines in Jay, there were about a dozen voters in the election board office, all working on their ballots at the same time. Imagine the lines if we had been voting on electronic machines instead of paper ballots.

They ought to dig a huge hole somewhere and bury every last one of those ridiculous touch-screen voting machines in it.

peelumba, (11/1/2008 7:33:50 AM)

obama !

an okie 4eva, (11/2/2008 10:42:31 PM)

So you think a line that snakes around the building is long? Try a mile long and six and a half hours to vote in Central (Franklin County), Ohio (Columbus, is the county seat and state capitol). And that was after I had stood and waited over two hours to hear Mr. Obama speak at the statehouse today. I couldn't believe all the people with babies and children and the elderly who went through so much discomfort to make sure their ballot counted. Our early voting started on September 30th and runs through November 3rd (tomorrow).

Count your blessings, Tulsa!

~ A native Okie (Tulsa is my hometown), now an Ohio Buckeye ~

chase, (11/1/2008 10:43:03 AM)

everyone get out to vote for the candidate of your choice.

Tasia, (11/1/2008 4:57:07 PM)

What is it about Presidential Elections that bring out people? that forget to vote, the next four years,for anything

pgcfriend, (11/1/2008 5:25:52 AM)

I absolutely agree. The Election Board did a grand job. I was one of the first there. I think maybe I was number 50 in line if that. From the time they started handing out the ballots at 8 am and when I left I was only there 15 minutes. Opening the doors a little early to allow us to start filling out the absentee ballot applications was a great idea. I wonder if they passed them out outside. They really did a wonderful job.

B52, (11/2/2008 1:19:18 PM)

Four years ago, at this time and including election day, John Kerry was ahead of Bush by 4-6 points in the polls. George Bush won the election by 3 points.

Someone mentioned this is a historic election. If Obama wins, the most liberal senator in the senate, I don't think people realize how historic it will be. We will move from Capitalism to Socialism.

golfwife, (11/1/2008 10:38:29 AM)

Isn't this just great to see such enthusiasm in the election process in Oklahoma? I have seen, via tv, the masses that turn out to vote in other countries, but not in mass here in Oklahoma.

This is such a historic election and I am so proud of my fellow Oklahomans. Wouldn't it be neat if Senator Obama took the State by storm? I know I am dreaming, but let the 'ole lady dream, I will wake up Wed. a.m. and reality will set in.