"Incredible" turnout in Chattanooga
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) -- A precinct official in Chattanooga describes voter turnout as "incredible."

Josia Roe is an election officer at the Saint Elmo-Alton Park precinct and says the turnout is much higher than expected.

Roe says a line formed before doors opened and the usual lull before lunch didn't happen. He says the voting hasn't slowed all morning.
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RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Turnout is heavy in Virginia, where Republican Senator George Allen is in a closely watched race against Democrat Jim Webb, a former Republican.

It's one of the races that could determine whether Republicans keep control of the U-S Senate. Final independent polls are showing the two candidates at about even.

A board of elections analyst says turnout is high all across Virginia. Some precincts are too busy to call in their numbers. There are also several reports of alleged voter intimidation, but an elections official calls the complaints anecdotal and difficult to confirm.

In addition to U-S House seats and the Senate race, Virginians are also deciding whether to add a ban on same-sex marriage to the state's constitution.
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I think the high turnout benefits the Democrats, but I admit to the possibility of wishful thinking on my part. I am curious how others see it.

In the more recent elections I would agree with you about a higher turnout favoring the Democrats, this year I would have to guess that a higher turnout would favor the Republicans.

No real rhyme or reason other than the election year “underdog” always (again, my guess) benefits from a higher turnout.

This is hard to answer, you have political "experts" on both sides predicting that their side will benefit most with a higher voter turnout. I would like to think that the Republicans would benefit more, but who knows?

I base my reasoning on the almost overwhelming dissatisfaction with the status quo. CNN reports 62 percent saying that national issues made the biggest difference with their votes and 33 percent citing local issues. I see that as favoring the Democrats as well.