By Robert Barron, Staff Writer
A group of Enid residents, led by state Sen. Patrick Anderson, R-Enid, is undertaking a movement to get out the vote in Garfield County.
Garfield County Vote Project also features members Tim Milacek and Frank Baker, plus a number of financial contributors. The movement started out with residents talking about how poor voter turnout was for the primary election in July.
Only about 26 percent of registered voters in the county cast ballots in the primary.
Anderson, who is not up for re-election this year, said they wanted to do something to improve that number and bring greater awareness of the upcoming runoff election Aug. 22 to voters.
The group went to local newspaper, radio and television outlets, who all have agreed to provide public service announcements that encourage people to vote Aug. 22.
“Out goal is to get at least 35 percent of people to the polls,” Anderson said. “That would break the Garfield County record for runoff election voting.”
According to figures from the Oklahoma State Election Board as of Jan. 16, there are 10,349 registered Democrats in Garfield County and 17,121 registered Republicans. Another 2,279 people are registered as independents and can’t vote in the primary or runoff elections.
To reach the 35 percent figure, 9,614 county residents will have to vote Aug. 22. For Democrats, the 35 percent figure is 3,622. For Republicans, it is 5,992.
The group has collected donations and purchased signs members will distribute Aug. 22 reminding people to vote.
Anderson said he knows the importance of getting the word out about voting, because he lost an election for a House District 41 seat in a runoff in 1998 to Curt Roggow by 373 votes.
“I know how difficult it is to get people’s attention when it’s 100 degrees outside and remind them how important is to go and vote,” he said.
Enid Chapter of Vietnam War Veterans will help with cable television messages. Members will remind the public there are men and women who have served their country so people have the opportunity to vote.
The group, which is made up of Democrats and Republicans, hopes the movement is successful and they can continue it into the November election.
“We have a unique runoff situation in that both political parties have candidates on the ballot, so everyone has a reason to get out and vote,” Anderson said.
All county Republican voters will have at least one race in the Aug. 22 runoff, the lieutenant governor election between Todd Hiett and Scott Pruitt. Some Republicans — those living in state House District 41 — will be able to choose between John Enns, of Waukomis, and Jeff Davis, of Piedmont, for the right to face Democrat Carol Ruth, of Yukon, in the November general election.
Democrat voters in the county will have one race, the lieutenant governor runoff between Jari Askins and Pete Regan.
