Nearly 3,000 Oklahoma County voters cast ballots Wednesday, Oct. 28, the first day of early voting ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

"Well, the number of people on our three locations is almost 3,000 today who have voted in our three sites," Doug Sanderson, Oklahoma County Election Board secretary, told KFOR.

Sanderson said the county has also received about half of the 20,000 absentee ballots mailed to voters. He called that well above the normal return rate.

The strong early numbers have Sanderson eyeing a possible record, though he stopped short of a guarantee. "We may set a record, I don't know, but it's too early to say for certain, but you can tell people are eager to come cast their ballots," he said.

Three sites for the first time

Oklahoma County opened three early voting locations for the first time this cycle after some voters reported waiting more than an hour during the presidential election two years ago, Oklahoma Voice reported. Sanderson said officials added a polling location in the south part of the city.

The three sites are:

  • Oklahoma County Election Board, 4201 N. Lincoln Blvd., Oklahoma City
  • The Rock Church, 6801 S. Anderson Rd., Oklahoma City
  • The MAC at Mitch Park, 2733 Marilyn Williams Dr., Edmond

Oklahoma Voice also reported that voters at the Edmond and Oklahoma City sites on Oct. 28 waited in short lines. Some came with spouses. Others pushed walkers. Security was on hand at both locations, where signs directed voters.

What voters need to know

Early voting continues through Saturday, Oct. 31. Hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Oklahoma requires a photo ID or a county election board voter card to vote. Voters without identification can cast a provisional ballot. No excuse is needed to vote early, but voters must complete an in-person absentee ballot application when they check in.

Sanderson recommended reviewing sample ballots ahead of time through the Oklahoma State Election Board's website. The ballot includes legislative seats, statewide offices, congressional races, county posts, judicial retention and two state questions.

Oklahoma has one of the shortest early voting windows in the country at four days, Oklahoma Voice reported. Legislative efforts to expand that window have not advanced.

Absentee and Election Day details

Mailed absentee ballots must reach the county election board by 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, according to the Oklahoman. Hand-delivered absentee ballots are due by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2. Absentee ballot affidavits must be notarized before mailing. Under Oklahoma law, notaries cannot charge a fee for that service.

As of September, nearly 2.45 million Oklahomans were registered to vote. More than 1.3 million are Republicans, about 622,000 are Democrats and nearly 500,000 are independents, according to KFOR. Those totals could rise once October registration numbers are finalized.

On the registration deadline of Oct. 9, 1,906 people submitted online voter-registration applications, according to the Oklahoma State Election Board.

Election Day polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3. Voters with questions can contact the Oklahoma County Election Board at (405) 713-1515.