Wednesday, October 30th 2024, 9:16 pm
The polls are closed now for the first day of early voting, and thousands of voters cast their ballots Wednesday for this upcoming election at the current Tulsa County Election Board and the new location near 11th and Garnett.
Some people waited more than an hour to cast their ballots, but everyone in line got to vote.
Many voters say they wanted to get it out of the way instead of having to wait in possibly even longer lines on Election Day- and were happy to make their voices heard.
Voters were wrapped around the block at the Tulsa County Election Board on the first day of early voting.
"It's an American tradition that's at the foundation of our country,” said Kelly Rundle. “It's a responsibility that we all have and it's a great time for everybody to come together and realize that as different as we are, that we're very much the same."
"We should not stay at home, we should get up and go do it, go vote for whoever you're voting for,” said Angel Vides. “Just make your impact. And you will do it through your vote."
Josh Davis got in line seconds before the polls closed, and he was the last one to vote Wednesday.
"That's what we should all do,” said Davis. “Regardless of how we think the state will vote or how we think it will fall, it's just important to get out here and do that, and I want to show her that it's important."
Gwen Freeman, Secretary of the Tulsa County Election Board, says election officials processed about 600 voters an hour Wednesday.
This year marked the first time early voting has been available on a Wednesday.
"We knew we were probably going to have, if not close, a probably record-breaking year, given the political interest in this presidential election,” said Freeman. “People are very passionate about their politics, we love that."
Many of the voters in line agreed that they’re thankful that Americans have the right to play a role in their government.
"Just know that the rest of the world does not have everything that we have, and let's be thankful for it, and let's try to help each other and be kind,” said Rundle.
Early voting will start up again at 8 a.m. Thursday morning and will end at 6 p.m. Thursday evening.
As long as you’re in the line by 6 p.m., you can vote.
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