New Oklahoma law changes ‘early’ voting to the prior Thursday, Friday, and Saturday; affects November 4 General Election.

A new state law which took effect on November 1, 2013, changes the dates and times voters have come to expect for early voting in Oklahoma. Now, early voting begins on Thursday and continues on Friday and Saturday, Texas County Election Board Secretary Glenda Williams explained today. Of special note, early voting is no longer conducted on Monday.

These changes have occurred due to the approval of SB 869, which was signed into law in May, 2013. As a result, Thursday, October 30 is the first day for in-person absentee, aka “early” voting, in the November 4 General Election, Williams said.

The new law also adjusts the hours for Saturday in-person absentee voting. Saturday voting now takes place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Williams explained that during federal and state elections such as this one, voter turnout is often heavier and providing early voting on Saturday gives voters an additional opportunity to vote before election day.

More information about absentee voting in Oklahoma, as well as other election-related information, is available at www.elections.ok.gov.