OWASSO, Okla. — Early voting is underway in Rogers County at two locations, the election board at 415 West First Street in Claremore and 9602 North 177th East Avenue, Freedom Baptist Church in Owasso.
Rogers County Election Board Secretary Julie Dermody says it’s important to make sure you know the location of your voting precinct, after redistricting.
Registered voters can either check the information on their voter ID card, or go online by clicking on the link for the Oklahoma Voter Portal: https://oklahoma.gov/elections/ovp.html.
However, if you are registered as an Independent, you can participate in the Democratic primary.
For first time voters or for those who have recently moved to Oklahoma, it’s important to note Oklahoma has a closed primary system; a voter must be registered as a Republican to vote in the Republican primary or be registered as a Democrat to vote in the Democratic primary.
Early voting continues from 8am until 6pm on Friday, and on Saturday from 8am until 2pm.
Legislation passed last year added the extra hour on Saturday, and will add an extra day for early voting in November.
Early voters FOX23 News spoke with on Thursday said they enjoyed the convenience of voting early due to either the closer location to the election board, or fewer people in line.
“We know it’s going to be crowded because Claremore is always a good place and a lot of voters,” said Jim Janosky. “We’re getting a little older, and we just didn’t want to stand in the crowd too long.”
Janosky is the father of Joy Hofmeister, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction who is running for governor in the Democratic primary.
[ MORE: Early voting for 2022 Oklahoma primary election underway in Tulsa County ]