Long early voting lines continue across Oklahoma

EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) — Oklahomans were pouring into early voting locations for a third day in a row.

McIntyre Law Chopper 4 captured scenes in Cleveland and Oklahoma Counties as many waited hours in line to cast their ballot.

Many voters in Edmond said they have never seen it get this packed for early voting before.

There were mixed feelings on the long wait times to vote, saying it is amazing to see so many people come out and vote, but why didn't election officials consider opening more polling locations?

"It's positive to see everyone coming out and vote, the negative part is the waiting," Miryah Adair, voter said.

For the third straight day, voters lined up for early voting only to find out they would be waiting hours to cast their ballots.

"I would say that I was a little shocked, but I think this is just showing that we probably do need better voting resources in the future," said Ronnelle Sharply, voter.

Many voters said this is the biggest early voting turnout they've seen for a presidential election.

"There's a lot more people this time around," Sasha Ngunderson, voter said.

"The last presidential election we were at our local polling, and we waited a couple of hours," said Radhika Cruc, voter. "It was in the evening, but it was not as long as this is going to be."

Some voters waited in line for more than four hours.

Concerns were growing for the elderly and children. Republican State Senator Adam Pugh was seen at Mitch Park in Edmond handing out tacos to those waiting so long.

"I'd like to alleviate those lines more if possible," Senator Pugh (R-Edmond) said. "I think we're probably going to need to look at, again, either extending the early voting window with more days."

The consensus from the people News 4 talked to is, they understand the amount of voters coming out for this election, but do not understand why there aren't more polling locations.

The state election board says the number of early voting locations is up to each county.

"More polling places, especially for early voting, because some people don't have time to vote or it's just inconvenient or for them to like schedule time," Ngunderson said.

"I'm seeing the elderly here and me being young, I don't mind standing, but I feel like for them, maybe a location set just for an age group," Sharply said.

When News 4 asked the Oklahoma County Election Board why there isn't more sites for the largest county in the state, they said there's not enough staff, but Sen. Pugh said that is something they will look into for the future.

The last day of early voting is Saturday, November 1, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.