Across state, parties await results

By John Greiner

Published: July 29, 2008

Candidates will find out today if their campaign strategies got traction with voters who are picking nominees in the primary elections.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. today for primary elections ranging from county to federal offices.

Only Democrats and Republicans can vote in political party primaries, but independents can vote on any nonpartisan local issues.

Michael Clingman, state Election Board secretary, did not want to predict the voter turnout, saying top-of-the ticket primary races — U.S. Senate — aren't hotly contested.

In the primary election four years ago — also a presidential election year — close to 600,000 Oklahomans voted, he said. But that year, there were well-known political figures fighting for nominations in the U.S. Senate primaries and that fueled a heavy voter turnout.

Voters will make their choices in Democratic and Republican primaries for the U.S. Senate.

They also will select nominees in U.S. House seats.

Democrats and Republicans will be nominating candidates in U.S. House District 1.

Democrats will nominate a candidate in U.S. House districts 2 and 5.

Republicans will be nominating a candidate in a Corporation Commission race.

Voters will be casting ballots in primary elections in 32 House districts today.

They'll be going to the polls to make their picks in seven Senate districts, too.

Voters throughout the state will consider candidates today for sheriff, county clerk, court clerk and county commissioner.

In addition, several communities will decide matters of local interest, including sales tax increases and charges for 911 service.

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