Voter ID Law Brings Changes To Tulsa Municipal Election

Lacie Lowry, News On 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- Early and in-person absentee voting is underway ahead of Tuesday's primary for all nine Tulsa city council seats. And this year, there's an important change at the polls.

Before you cast your ballot, Oklahoma's voter ID law requires you to show a government issued ID. 

Voters may also use the voter identification card they received by mail from the County Election Board when they registered to vote, even though it does not have a photo or expiration date on it. 

"Same thing I have to do to cash a check, buy a plane ticket or anything else - pull out the driver's license, show it and go on," said voter Jim Burdge.

The change went into effect in July after State Question 746 was overwhelmingly approved by 74 percent of Oklahomans last November.

6/15/2011 Related Story: Oklahoma's Voter ID Law To Go Into Effect July 1

Your ID must have your picture, an expiration date and your name as it's listed on your voter registration record.

"If you have a different last name, you were married and your name is different, that would not match. But you can come to the election board and take care of that real easily," said Patty Bryant, Tulsa County Election Board Secretary.

There's a backup plan for voters who show up the day of the election without an ID or one that doesn't match up with the voter registration information.

"You can still vote, but you would vote a provisional ballot and it just wouldn't be counted until the staff has had the opportunity to look at it and verify it," Bryant said.

Tulsa County Election Board

Desiree Mohamed was used to pulling out her ID since before she moved to Tulsa.

"In Louisiana, it's always mandatory to have an ID, I don't know why, but it is. I know most states now say you have to have an ID, but I always thought you had to have one," Mohamed said.

Tulsa primary's election covers City Council Districts 1 through 9 and affects 215 voting precincts. All locations require an ID to vote.

"I think it's a great law and should have been done a long time ago," Burdge said.

Early voting continues Monday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Election Day is Tuesday.

How to get a state issued ID:

If you need a certified copy of your birth certificate, go to the office of Vital Statistics at 51st and Garnett and they'll give you one for $15.