Voter registration numbers in Oklahoma have seen a significant increase since the 2020 election, with over 323,000 new voters added to the state’s registry. This brings the total number of registered voters in the state to over 2.4 million. Despite being one of the least politically engaged states in the country, Oklahoma has seen a surge in voter registrations, with 252,000 Republicans and almost 84,000 Democrats added since 2020.
University of Central Oklahoma Political Science professor Dr. Brett Sharp attributes the higher registration numbers to Oklahoma being a solid red state. However, registration doesn’t always translate to turnout, as a recent study rated Oklahoma 47th in overall political engagement. Younger voters, in particular, tend to be less engaged, with only 30 percent of those aged 18-24 actively participating in elections.
Factors contributing to lower voter turnout among younger Oklahomans include feeling like their vote won’t make a difference or that their candidate won’t win. Despite efforts to increase engagement among this demographic, campaigns continue to struggle to mobilize younger voters.
The state election board is set to release their official voter registration report next week, which will provide a clearer picture of voter registration in Oklahoma. Despite the challenges in engaging younger voters, the increase in registrations is a positive sign for democracy in the state.
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