Thousands Cast Early Ballots in Oklahoma County

Early voting for Tuesday's general election is officially underway in Oklahoma, with thousands of people lined up to cast their ballots here in the metro on Friday.

County election boards across the state will close in less than an hour and reopen on Saturday.

As of late Friday afternoon, more than 3,300 registered voters lined up in Oklahoma County to cast their ballots early. The day began before sunrise for some voters in the metro.

"I had to get up here early this morning. Last time I got up here at 7 a.m. and the line was seven blocks already long," Lorenzo Threatt, Sr., said.

Most voters will show up to their local precincts on Tuesday, but thousands lined up at county election boards Friday to cast early ballots.

"A lot of people want to get it over with early. They may be called out of town at the last moment and they don't want to miss voting on election day so they come and vote early with us," Oklahoma County Election Board Secretary Doug Sanderson said.

Several state questions are on the ballot, but in this presidential election, voters say national issues are driving them to the polls early.

"I'm also a 20-year Air Force veteran, and I think [President Obama] has done a fabulous job on foreign affairs, and I was just excited to be able to vote early and support the president," Dr. Katherine Sherman said.

Most voters came prepared to wait in line to make sure their voices are heard.

"It's very important everybody get out and vote because a lot of people think it doesn't count and it counts more this time than it did last time," Threatt said.

If you're heading to the polls to vote, you do have to provide proof of identity. That can be an Oklahoma driver license, state ID card, passport, or military ID.

Early voting continues Saturday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m.