Sen. Kirt wins full Senate approval for bill increasing early voting

OKLAHOMA CITY – Senate Democratic Leader Julia Kirt has won Senate approval for legislation to improve voter access in Oklahoma. Senate Bill 1362 would add Saturdays to every early voting period before elections.  

“Last year, we consolidated the number of election days to only five per year to streamline voting for Oklahomans. Now, we need to take the next step to reduce confusion by making early in-person voting times consistent,” said Kirt, D-Oklahoma City. “This small change will make it more convenient for Oklahomans to cast their ballots and increase voter turnout.” 

Current law already allows early voting from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Thursday and Friday prior to an election and partial Saturdays before general elections. With this change, the polls would be open those same hours Thursday through Saturday. Voters would continue to have the option of voting from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. the Wednesday before general elections as well. 

Kirt’s measure now moves to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Rep. Mike Osburn, R-Edmond, is the House principal author.  

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For more information, contact:  Sen. Julia Kirt at 405-521-5636 or Julia.Kirt@oksenate.gov