Power prioritized at polling sites following weekend tornadoes

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — This weekend's tornadoes left a trail of destruction across Oklahoma, causing power outages and raising concerns as Election Day approaches.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt and state officials making sure all polling places are ready for voters on Tuesday at 7 a.m.

"We just want them to know we are prioritizing with our utilities to make sure that power is up at those polling stations," said Governor Stitt.

OG&E has been monitoring the situation and says one polling site was without power. That site has already been re-energized.

"This is something we prepare for every Election Day. It's important not just when there is severe weather, but if it could be a blue sky day and we want to still be prepared and have a plan to make sure that polling stations have power," said Aaron Cooper, OG&E spokesperson.

The State Election Board is also prepared. Without power, Oklahomans would still be able to cast their vote.

"For example, every ballot box has a emergency compartment on it, so that if there's not power to run the voting device, voters can secure their ballots in there and then they can be scanned later at the county election board where there would be power," said Paul Ziriax, secretary, State Election Board.

If a site was damaged, the State Election Board also has the power to declare an Election Emergency.

"We would find hopefully a nearby polling place that would be an alternative and we would get that information out or the county election board would get that information out in the local media and while it's not common, it's not unprecedented," said Ziriax.

Officials are urging voters in storm-affected areas to make a plan and allow extra time for travel as cleanup efforts continue.