GUTHRIE – State Representative Jason Murphey is conducting a 2007 voter registration drive as part of his constituent tour of Logan and Oklahoma Counties.

"This area is exploding in residential growth. It is important that our new neighbors have a chance to make their voices heard in local elections," Murphey said.

Murphey said that many new residents have not had an opportunity to change voting registrations since moving to their new houses. This makes it more difficult for them to vote, as they are required to commute to their old neighborhoods on election day. By taking voter cards to the homes of the new residents, Murphey hopes to make updating voter registration as easy as possible.

"This also gives me the opportunity to serve as an Ambassador for our area in welcoming them to our district," Murphey said. "It is always exciting to meet new local residents."

Earlier this month, Murphey kicked off his 2007 door to door tour in the Logan County community of Marshall. The door to door program is one part of Murphey's constituent contact plan, which includes writing weekly email updates, maintaining a number of advisory committees on which any House District 31 resident is eligible to be a member, conducting community meetings and maintaining a constituent casework system in order to assist citizens with their concerns. The program is based on Murphey's experience as a City Councilman for the City of Guthrie. There, Murphey implemented a program of going door to door to speak to his constituents. Murphey says he received feedback and requests for help from the program which he would not normally have received had he not visited with the people.

"It is an honor to be the people's representative. I enjoy the opportunity to talk to people and work for them," Murphey said. "I want this tour to demonstrate my desire to do the best job possible in representing their needs."