The US Census Bureau has released demographic data for the 2012 Federal Election. The numbers don’t speak well of Oklahoma. Of all 50 states and DC, Oklahoma ranks 49th in voter turnout of eligible voters. Only Hawaii and West Virginia had lower turnout rates.

From the Tulsa World report, here are the most interesting Oklahoma statistics:

The 52.4 percent 2012 voting rate in Oklahoma beat only Hawaii and West Virginia and was 6.3 percent worse than in the 2008 presidential election.

In Oklahoma, voting rates among age groups declined in all categories with the exception of 65- to 74-year-olds compared to 2008.

Oklahoma voters in the 65 to 74 age group increased 68.1 percent to 80.7 percent.

About one in four, or 27 percent, of Oklahomans age 18 to 24 cast ballots in the 2012 presidential election.

About 41 percent of those aged 18 to 24 cast ballots in the 2008 presidential election.

Oklahoma ranks 42nd among states in the percentage of eligible voters who are registered, with 66.1 percent on the rolls.

The report also found a decline in the percentage of eligible Oklahomans who were registered to vote since 2008.

The percent of the citizenry that were registered to vote declined from 70.1 percent in 2008 to 66.1 percent in 2012.

These are some serious declines. While members of the Democratic Party and Democratic organizations blamed voter ID laws, gerrymandering and long ballots for the decline, we here at Oklahomans for Ballot Access Reform have some different ideas. Continue reading →