Spot checked a few representative precincts around Blount Co. between 4:30 PM and 5:30 PM. It's raining pretty steady, but it does not seem to have affected turnout. Not sure if this is good or bad for HFJ. The guys at the Blount Dem HQ were hoping for buckets of rain. At any rate, it looks like a record mid-term turnout in Tennessee.

Workers at all precincts reported steady and higher than expected turnout, slowing some after lunch but picking up after work as expected. Lines were growing and people were pouring in at each location at 5 PM.

Here are some numbers (does not include early voting):

MLK: approx. 400 voters, higher than usual according to one worker. Approx. 16 in line. (2004: Kerry 435, Bush 225.) UPDATE: Ford 407, Corker 134.

Maryville Elementary (West Maryville, think Farragut): 715 voters (one worker said they usually only have about 500 for a mid-term), 30+ in line, five machines. Saw one guy leave after not finding a parking place. (2004: Kerry 371, Bush 829.) UPDATE: Ford 553, Corker 1020.

William Blount Middle (partly suburb, partly rural, possibly troubling): 1000+ voters, 75 or so in line, eight machines. They had trouble with the machines there this morning. Some people may have left without voting and other reports of voters waiting two hours. (2004: Kerry 496, Bush 1267.) UPDATE: Ford 699, Corker 1265.

First Baptist Family Life (Alcoa, mixed/blue collar): 823 voted, 50 in line, five machines. (2004: Kerry 410, Bush 1007.) UDPATE: Ford 596, Corker 965.

NOTE: 2004 numbers do not include early voting, which were not reported by precinct.

If you know any Democrats who have not voted, you need to get them to the polls in the next hour and a half. UDPATE: Never mind.