Welcome to the Oklahoma Votes 2008 web page. Join us here and on OETA for full coverage of the general election in November.

Check back often for new features and information, see what other Oklahoma voters are saying and and tell us what issues are important to you in the Voter Voices section. We also encourage you to visit our Political Pulse blog for current Oklahoma political news, and join the conversion by posting a comment.

An historic presidential election in November highlights the 2008 election season and again this year, OETA leads the way with unparalleled statewide election coverage of races from the White House to the state house. 

This year, all the seats in the Oklahoma House of Representatives and half the seats in the State Senate are on the ballot.  Majority control of the State Senate will be decided in November, with membership currently split 50-50 between Democrats and Republicans. 

A one-person shift will place leadership in the hands of the majority party.  Republicans firmly control the House of Representatives, but the decision of several GOP members to not seek re-election could make contests in the House even more interesting than expected. 

Also, in 2008, Oklahoma voters will select two Corporation Commissioners, and there are races in each Congressional district and one  U.S. Senate seat.  In addition, three Justices of the Supreme Court, two Judges of the Court of Criminal Appeals, and five Judges of the Court of Civil Appeals will be on the November general election ballot and three state questions will be decided.  Plus, numerous county offices will be up for grabs.

As he has every year since 1990, Dick Pryor will anchor OETA’s election coverage, on Oklahoma primary election night, July 29, and on the night of the national general election, November 4.  Pryor will also serve as Managing Editor of OETA's election night coverage, which will be produced by Bob Sands and directed by Mickie Smith. In 2006 OETA's General Election night broadcast was the highest-rated prime-time program in the entire PBS system.

A hallmark of OETA's election coverage is its insightful interview segments featuring spirited conversations with expert political observers. For the General Election, George Tomek will lead discussions with political analysts, candidates and other newsmakers from the interview desk.

Providing more than the numbers, our analysts will help Oklahomans understand the campaign back stories, with behind-the-scenes views into the political process.

Among those who will provide expert analysis on the night of the General Election are: State Representatives John Wright, Chuck Hoskin, Chris Benge, and Danny Morgan; State Senators Glenn Coffee, Charlie Laster, Todd Lamb and Kenneth Corn; and political analysts Laura Boyd, Doug Miller, Neva Hill, Pat McFerron, Sheryl Lovelady and Keith Gaddie.

With the increased emphasis and interest that comes in every Presidential election season, but especially this year, OETA's national desk will take on added significance. In November, Angela Buckelew will examine the issues, trends and latest campaign and election developments from the Oklahoma Votes 2008 national desk. 

OETA’s field reporters Lis Exon, Robert Burch, Cathy Tatom, Susan Miller, Jason Doyle, Lori Rasmussen, and Angela Rosecrans will deliver interviews and insights from candidates and their supporters at watch parties and other venues. 

OETA’s election night program is further enhanced through partnerships with Griffin Communications and Oklahoma’s National Public Radio affiliates, helping us cover candidates and races from various locations around the state.  Streaming, on-line video of election night coverage, provided by OneNet, allows viewers around the globe to watch the Oklahoma Votes 2008 broadcast live on the Internet. 

KGOU/KROU-FM Radio simulcast OETA's Oklahoma Votes 2008 Primary Election night broadcast in the Oklahoma City area, and KCCU-FM Radio simulcast the live broadcast in southwest and southern Oklahoma. And, through a special collaboration with KOSU-FM Radio, OETA delivered reports from the national Republican and Democratic nominating conventions in August and September. 

New this year, OETA is providing the latest news and notes from the campaign trail on our interactive Political Pulse blog.

Also this campaign season, another new feature of OETA's on-air and on-line coverage, Voter Voices, enables Oklahomans to share their views on important issues and what it will take for candidates to get their vote.

To participate in this new feature, check out the Voter Voices guidelines below and e-mail us by clicking the Voter Voices link.

To see and hear what Oklahomans are saying about this year's election, go to Voter Voices on our interactive Oklahoma Votes 2008 web page.

Leading up to November 4th, and on election night, the Online NewsHour will provide national election news and special features, including an interactive electoral college map. The map is designed to allow users to try different scenarios to predict who will win the presidency, and will be updated as results become available. Click the map to see the latest electoral college map from the Online NewsHour.

And, click below to see the Vote 2008 website from the Online NewsHour.

Above: OETA's Primary Election crew for Oklahoma Votes 2008 included (front row l-r) Quin Tran, George Tomek, Dick Pryor and Lis Exon. (back row, l-r) Lori Rasmussen, Jason Doyle, Susan Miller and Robert Burch.

OETA's Oklahoma Votes 2008 live coverage of the General Election on November 4, 2008 will begin at 7:00 p.m. The complete program will be re-broadcast on OETA OKLA, beginning at 12:00 midnight and will be available on this website any time, all the time.

Political Pulse -click below to join the blog!

Voter voices - Click photo to see what oklahomans are saying

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National Election Headlines from the Online Newshour

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Find your Polling Place from ok.gov