by Wayne Watts
 If you are new to Oklahoma you may be hearing about Super Tuesday coming up. Super Tuesday is the day when the greatest number of states hold their primaries or caucuses. This year that is March 5th. The deadline in Oklahoma to register to vote on Super Tuesday was February 19th.
 Super Tuesday is considered the big prize in the presidential nominating process, a big election day that makes expensive and time-consuming demands of candidates, who must appeal to voters from the northeast tip of Maine to the southwest corner of California. It’s an election day that includes wide swaths of the American electorate, both geographically and demographically, and requires candidates to make pitches to such diverse interests as Minnesota farmers, California tech workers and federal employees in Virginia.
 Super Tuesday has roots going back to 1984, but became a single-day force in 1988, when Southern states banded together to counter what some had critically dubbed the “Iowa syndrome,” whereby a small Midwestern state had what they saw as outsize power as the first nominating contest. If the South couldn’t be first, it could be the biggest, the theory was, and candidates would need to spend time there addressing concerns of Southern voters.
 The delegate haul also holds the promise of elevating a particular candidate, or forcing one or more out of the race.
 While the 2024 election appears likely to be a rematch between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, Trump’s lone major competitor, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, is still in the race.
 More than a third of all GOP delegates will be up for grabs in this year’s Super Tuesday. Trump has so far secured wins in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.
 Of the 16 states and territories that will vote on Super Tuesday, Minnesota had the highest voting rate during the 2020 general election, with more than three-quarters of Minnesotans showing up to the polls. Oklahoma turnout is dismal at the bottom of the list only beating out Arkansas for voter participation. Only 58% of Oklahoma Citizens turnout for Super Tuesday according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
 States participating in Super Tuesday include Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and American Samoa.
 While American Samoa will also be participating in Super Tuesday, it does not cast electoral votes for president of the United States and therefore does not have a voting rate.
 Polls will be open from 7am to 7pm on Tuesday, March 5th. Early voting will begin this week at County Election Boards. Voting is open Thursday and Friday (Feb 29- Mar 1) from 8am to 6pm and on Saturday, (Mar 2) from 8am to 2pm.
 Be sure and bring your photo ID or Voter Registration Card with you.
 The General Election will be held on November 5, 2024.