Massive turnout in Tennessee (Eastern)

[TornadoTN]

I just got to my office after voting this morning. I am astounded by the huge turnout that I witnessed not only at my precinct, but all across the region. From what I'm hearing there are long lines already forming in the more populated areas and this is the case even with early voting records being set!

I stood in line for about 45 minutes and the line was growing substantially behind me. My precinct is relatively rural and it's usually a very small number that vote. The precinct captain told me while I was in line that they will break their record within the first two hours today. Another close contact with the election commission indicated that in this heavily Republican area that they have seen an "amazing" number of Democratic voters this election, so many so that its got many of the "old guard Republicans" in this area very concerned about the impact this will have in other elections. Let this be a lesson to any politician: ignore your constituents too long and take them for granted, be assured they will turn on you no matter how red/blue they may be. However, I still feel that we're seeing a substantial number of the "youth" vote as well as many people who have never voted or failed to vote before. People are seeing what the GOP has done to our country and see a possible solution with either of our two candidates. This is encouraging and a very unique opportunity that I hope we don't squander.

It's looking good here on the ground in TN. I'm going to keep on top of it as best I can today, but we could be seeing some incredible results tonight all across the country.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. ditto in Illinois. LOTS of votes, early, and

lots of ballots cast in the weeks before.

[TornadoTN]

15. How long was the early voting period in IL?

Curious what other states have. Ours I believe was between two and three weeks, but I could be mistaken.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

18. I first noticed it being available 3 weeks ago. I can't say for certain,

but 3-4 weeks sounds right.

[Kittycat]

22. There were 2 stages of early voting

If you needed to register or update your registration, you could do so between Jan 5-14 I believe. I know I voted on the last day (had to update). My husband voted on the last early day to vote - which was the saturday before last (Jan 26th I think).

[cali]

2. How interesting! Thanks so much for the report. n/t

[Adelante]

3. That's wonderful

No matter who they vote for, it's wonderful to see this year's immense turnout :thumbsup:

[Raven]

4. No matter which Democrat wins, they have done a tremendous service

to this Country by getting new voters registered and out to the polls. No matter which Democrat wins, this can only be good for America. I think that once people begin to vote they begin to watch and read and listen and care.

[TornadoTN]

7. So true - it's a great thing for this country

No matter who wins (and this coming from a hardcore Obama supporter), we have a very unique opportunity to effect real change on this country. It's going to be needed after the last 8 years of damage and will be sorely needed quickly as our economy continues its downward spiral.

Glad to see so many people actually standing up and taking an active role in our Democracy. Even in 2004 I haven't seen this many people fired up about particular candidates or issues. We really are watching history being made.

[saltpoint]

5. France, for example, puts us to shame on voter turnout, even as our

jabbering ape of a president ridicules the French. Over 80% of French voters showed up to cast a vote in their last election.

I think it would be a real good thing if as many U.S. voters as possible voted this year -- in the primaries and in the general.

I think it would even better if they voted blue.

[IndyOp]

20. Remember the line from Sicko - "In America the people are afraid of the government,

In France, the government is afraid of the people."

I think that the French turnout is so high because the French people are engaged in their Democracy on a regular (weekly, monthly) basis -- in terms of using nationalized services such as medical care, wonderful preschool, school & college facilities, protesting with their unions and so forth.

Participating with a vote once every 4 years, 2 years, or once each year -- isn't going to create real change and most people realize that and are discouraged that they don't feel they can make a difference in any meaningful way so they sit it out and hope for the best.

:(

[saltpoint]

23. Hi, IndyOp. I'd let that SICKO line slip from my thinking, but you've

refreshed my screen. Thank you. I can't speak across all of those areas you mention, but from an anecdotal account, the relationship to schooling there sounds exactly right.

In the U.S. we should probably stop watching cable television and eating fast-food and start investing heart & soul into the things that hold cultures together.

If we started doing that we might stop electing people like George W. Bush to the White House.

[NoBorders]

6. I wonder how much of factor weather is

I take it there are some pretty good storms expected to worsend during the day in some parts of the country. I'm really glad turnout is high, but I wonder if people are trying to get to the voting booth before the weather turns worse.

Either way, it shows that people want their voice heard. Very cool, people caring about democracy!

[TornadoTN]

10. Weather probably isn't a factor here as much as it could be elsewhere

At least here in my region we're looking at partly cloudy day with mild temperatures. Rain hit us hard yesterday (but it was very much needed) and today looks to be perfect voting weather.

Hopefully won't get too dicey elsewhere!

[Lucinda]

8. I'm in Gatlinburg

In and out in a flash.

The woman I spoke with said they'd been pretty steady since they opened though, and there was a lot of early voting in the area.

[TornadoTN]

12. Tri-Cities here

We have a lot of early voters which usually makes voting pretty easy on election day. Not so much the case here in most areas today, although I'm sure there are exceptions all across the board.

My first thought today when I pulled up was "wow, this is unreal". I took my two year old son with me so he could get accustomed to this and feel like he was "voting" too. I was worried he would be upset but he was amazed at all of the people and looked forward to pushing the red button when daddy was done. Just a cool expierience all the way around!

[Lucinda]

13. Sounds like it! It's gorgeous here this morning,

though we're due for storms. Glad I went early.

[Zynx]

27. I've been to Gatlinburg. It's a nice town. :-)

[CorpGovActivist]

9. Awesome! Thanks for the on-the-ground! K&R

[liberalnurse]

11. Thanks for the details

I'm at work to but in Ohio. We are next! I almost took a personal day today but elected to just go home early.

[chelaque liberal]

14. A nurse who can choose to go home early?

Those 12 hour shifts prevented me from voting a few times.

[liberalnurse]

25. I manage a Clinic as my primary job

and my staff can always function without me being there as they will call me if needed. Now, when I pick-up at the hospital for ER or Psyche; well,, no, one can't leave early then...luckily they let ya leave at all.

You might look into early mailing absence voting.

[chelaque liberal]

28. Thanks, I did that this year. I'm also working PRN now.

[democrank]

16. Thanks for this, TornadoTN

Maybe citizens are waking up.

[asjr]

17. good laugh for me was when my

son-in-law told me about an incident when he voted this a.m. A little gray-haired lady was walking beside him and asked him who he voted for. He hadn't voted yet but told her he was "going to vote for a woman." She laughed and said she had already "voted for a woman" and then started in on GW Bush and didn't let up. Called him every name in the book and said he was the worst president ever. They had a good laugh about it especially since she was a longtime Republican.

[TornadoTN]

19. That's a good one

I'm sure many others will have that same kind of expierience, judging by current trends. Both of our candidates will benefit from that same sentiment.

[IndyOp]

21. Good story! I love the little Republican lady voting for Hillary.

I'm sticking with Obama, but I like the fact that people are seeing the light!

:hi:

[NMDemDist2]

24. i'm afraid of that, I am running a caucus site out west and have over 5600 voters on the rolls

:scared:

if only 1/4 turn out we'll be overrun!!!

[Celebration]

26. Big, big turnout in my west TN ward

It's mostly Republican, though. I was trying to figure out how many were voting in the Democratic Primary. From what I saw (not much) I would say 35%-40%. If so, that is more than expected there. My Ron Paul supporting neighbor was there...........we'll just wait and see. I am guessing that the Democrats in my ward will go for Obama.

Storms are expected in the PM.

[TornadoTN]

29. UPDATE - Turnout in Tri-Cities heavy, large swell of Democratic voters

Just a report I recieved during my lunch break:

Precinct's are seeing steady or heavy turnout, likely to break records. Of particular interest is the large number of Democratic Party voters in this heavily Republican area. Also quite a few *new* voters as well as voters in the 18-35 age bracket turning out today.

It was stressed to me heavily by a well-placed person within a county election commission that the Democratic party turnout is "unprecedented" so far.

[Celebration]

30. Memphis City Schools have CLOSED

Big storms on the way. Traffic is like rush hour. People who haven't already voted may just stay home. Hard to tell what this will do.

[TornadoTN]

31. That's bad news for turnout

Hopefully you guys won't get hit hard. Sending good wishes from this end of the state.

[Celebration]

32. hubby just stood in line ONE HOUR to vote

I guess everyone is trying to go before the storm hits--right now we are in "the calm before the storm," with thunder in the background.

Again, we are in a Republican precinct/ward.

I have no idea who this county is going to vote for. All of the Democratic leaders have come out for Clinton, including some arch enemies. But one would think the large black vote would go to Obama. Plus there will probably be some Republican/independent crossovers for Obama.

[Jed Dilligan]

33. "Incredible" results like in 2000?

:scared:

[RiverStone]

34. Wow - great news! Thanks for sharing....

Any intuitive hit who may have the Dem momentum down there?

BTW: I'm a graduate from UT Knoxville. Go Vols!