Personal reports here in Louisiana are indicating long waits this morning between 30 to 45 minutes. Only one voter has reported to me a problem with voting machines not working in her precinct, although this was not holding up voters in her polling place.

An on the spot report from one of my blog readers:

Heavy turnout in St. Tammany [suburbs north of New Orleans] precinct where I am registered. I was the 63rd person to vote in one of the two precincts and I was there at 6:15 am. The wait was approximately 30 minutes already! They pulled one person for address confirmation and she had to fill out a form before voting. I also noticed absentee written on the signature lines of some voters. Identification was required. It seems to me that the “corrupt” state of Louisiana has things under control. The last time I voted in September in the middle of a Saturday I was the only person in the polling place. As St. Tammany is a RED parish, I predict HIGH Republican turnout if this is any indication.

And another reader reports:

The Lovely and Talented Mrs. C voted at 6am. She waited 45 minutes and voted straight GOP ticket, except where a Republican wasn’t running. I’ll be voting around 9 or 10.

My own wife called in a report that turnout at our location was heavy with lines out of the door. We’ve never had that before.

Thunderstorms are expected to hit Baton Rouge later this morning and move towards New Orleans. It’s clear now, and lines are out the door at many locations but heavy rain could discourage voters later today.