NORMAN — Elections will be today to decide a number of contested primary races, including the governor’s office and state House District 44 seat.
Polling places (listed inside) will open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout the area.
The general election will be Nov. 2.
Cleveland County Election Board Secretary Paula Roberts said she expects a “10 to 12 percent” voter turnout, “although we hope it’s better than that.”
Roberts said non-presidential elections have lower voter turnout rates because “they’re not as highly publicized, and a lot of people don’t know what’s going to be on the ballot.”
Roberts said voter turnout in elections like today’s are lower because only Democrats and Republicans can vote.
“Except for the district judge races,” Roberts said. “Anybody, including Independents, can vote in those races because they’re non-partisan.”
Governor’s race
Democrats will have to decide between Lt. Gov. Jari Askins and longtime Attorney General Drew Edmondson in the gubernatorial primary.
Republicans will have to choose between U.S. Rep. Mary Fallin, state Sen. Randy Brogdon and businessmen Roger Jackson and Robert Hubbard.
State House District 44
Democrats will have to choose between Norman City Councilman Tom Kovach, retired OU employee Robert Murphy, Emily Virgin and Isaiah McCaslin. The winner will face Kent Hunt, the lone Republican to file for the seat, in the Nov. 2 general election.
Fourth Congressional District of Oklahoma
Republicans will have to pick between longtime incumbent Tom Cole, who is facing only his second opponent in a primary since he was elected in 2002, and R.J. Harris, a 19-year veteran of the National Guard.
U.S. Senator
Democrats will pick between Jim Rogers and Mark Myles, while Republicans will have to choose between Evelyn Rogers, Lewis Kelly Spring and incumbent Tom Coburn.
County Assessor
Republicans will have to choose between current assessor David Tinsley, who took over when his predecessor retired in 2009, and Jim Helm.
District judge races
Three non-partisan races for District 21 judges will be decided by voters today as well.
In Office No. 1, Jonathan Nichols, Tracy Schumacher and Michael C. Bell are up for the post.
John Mantooth, Edward T. Tillery and Greg Dixon are vying for Office No. 2, while Ted L. Ryals, Stephen Bonner, J. Michael Sherrod and Michael Gardner are running for associate district judge.
For other races, including several state officers, visit the CCEB’s website at www.clevelandcountyelectionboard.com or call 366-0210.
Special needs
Special assistance will be available to disabled voters at the polling places today.
Those who cannot enter the polling place, need help marking their ballots and are blind, visually impaired voters or illiterate voters may be assisted by a person the voter chooses.
The person providing the assistance, however, cannot be the voter’s employer or an officer or agent of the voter’s union. The person chosen must affirm the voter’s ballots will be marked as the voter asks.
Also, voters who have moved since the last election but have not transferred their registration can do so today by voting where they were previously registered.
While voting, they can fill out a form to transfer their registration to their new address.
Registration for voters who have died can be canceled by their next of kin at polling places today.
Andrew Knittle 366-3540 aknittle@normantranscript.com
