February 5, 2008
Posted: 09:01 PM ET
Some polling places in Tennessee and Arkansas were forced to close early due to tornadoes.

Some polling places in Tennessee and Arkansas were forced to close early due to tornadoes

NEW YORK (CNN) – The Arkansas and Tennessee secretaries of state were forced to close some polling places earlier than expected Tuesday after several destructive tornadoes tracked through both states.

Tennessee State Elections Director Brook Thompson told CNN that "a couple of precincts" were closed early after "local authorities told us to relocate our workers" to safety. Polling places in McNairy, Tipton, Fayette and Dyer counties were closed around 6:30 p.m. CT (7:30 p.m. ET), Thompson said.

"I don't think this affected a large number of voters," he said. "I think everyone was trying to get home."

Thompson said there is no plan to reopen the polling places, which were scheduled to close at 7 p.m. CT (8 p.m. ET).

Natasha Naragon, spokeswoman for the Arkansas secretary of state, told CNN that polling places closed early in Baxter and Craighead counties, while they “have heard reports of several closing in northern Conway County.”

Naragon said that they have not heard any reports of people unable to vote. Polls in Arkansas were scheduled to close at 7:30 p.m. CT (8:30 p.m. ET).

CNN projects that Hillary Clinton won the Arkansas and Tennessee primaries, while Mike Huckabee captured the Arkansas primary.

Related: Watch the tornado touch down in Tennessee

(updated at 9 p.m. with additional reporting)

– CNN Political Editor Mark Preston

Filed under: Arkansas • Tennessee


DemFan   February 5th, 2008 8:27 pm ET

It is unfortunate that things like this happen as I'm sure there were many voters who unfortunately did not get a chance to support their candidate, regardless of party.

Adarrah for Obama   February 5th, 2008 8:31 pm ET

YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN! YES WE CAN!

Obama supporter   February 5th, 2008 8:31 pm ET

Shame on the Clintons for these tornados. I bet she has something do with it to impede the voters to push for CHANGE. It's all her fault! She probably invented a tornado-creating machine. How evil.

Obama 2008

Hillary 2008   February 5th, 2008 8:35 pm ET

Obama supporter WOW such an imagination you have.

Dem08   February 5th, 2008 8:39 pm ET

As a Hillary supporter, I would like to wish the familes in Tennessee well. This has nothing to do with Obama or Clinton, but about human lives.

Obama supporter, you should be ashamed of what you said. If this is the type of change you want for America, then count me out.

Mominoklahoma   February 5th, 2008 8:39 pm ET

I am shocked at the things Obama's people say and the things they blame on Hillary. If she were as powerful as these people think, she would have fixed every polling place.

Jeff, Miami, Fl   February 5th, 2008 8:39 pm ET

this is plain sick!
what else can you accuse Clinton of?
go away you republican trojan horse!

Chuck   February 5th, 2008 8:43 pm ET

Mitt can do it. No one else can!

Joyce Carter   February 5th, 2008 8:46 pm ET

We are so fortunate to be living this great historic race, no matter who wins we have already proven that any child born in the United States regardless of race or gender can run for President and truly have a chance to win. It is my prayer that our country continue to grow beyond the chains that have bound our nation for so very long. Thank God for the courage of our two democratic contenders for their resolve to give their all during these most difficult months of campaigning and for the months to come. May their journey be blessed with successes and our country be blessed with continued peace at the polls.

John E. Spencer   February 5th, 2008 8:48 pm ET

Obama would not react as his Obama supporter. For Christ's sake, Memphis is practically in Tornado Alley!

Darrel   February 5th, 2008 8:48 pm ET

Anybody ever heard of sarcasm?

B in CA   February 5th, 2008 8:49 pm ET

You people taking "Obama supporter" seriously should look up the definition of "parody."

holly   February 5th, 2008 8:54 pm ET

We all should be thinking about the safety of the people in that area. It is a shame that they could not vote, but Hillary was not the cause. Be Real! Let's hope that the majority had time to vote.

I've been in a tornado..it's no joke!

Go OBAMA08

Sherry   February 5th, 2008 8:54 pm ET

Union University has damage and some trapped students in Jackson. Roof collapsed on Hickory Ridge Mall in Memphis. West TN is damage, some reports of injuries.

We would appreciate your prayers.

Wow   February 5th, 2008 8:54 pm ET

You people can't take jokes

Mominoklahoma   February 5th, 2008 9:00 pm ET

Did you just hear Obama's suppoter on CNN saying the tornado in Memphis kept Obamas people home. Blame it on the tornado. Maybe people liked Hillary better.

John E. Spencer   February 5th, 2008 9:03 pm ET

Sarcasm is a form of self hatred. Parody at the tragedy of a tornado and a person's desire to have their vote count is stupidity. Come on Dems, we are all fighting for the same cause…to place a Democrat in the White House in 2009. To Darrel and B in CA; undoubtedly, you don't receive the same e-mails circulating demeaning and ridiculing both Clinton and Obama. It works against us not for us. Also, in CA from IL and a former Memphis, TN resident.

Mominoklahoma   February 5th, 2008 9:10 pm ET

Can we just not blame her win on a tornado. She worked hard for the win in Tennesse.

Brandy, NJ   February 5th, 2008 9:12 pm ET

Well CNN and every other media outlet said that Clinton would lose all of the south … and well … they were wrong .. so they create an article that makes people talk and thus the seed is that if those few people who weren't able to get out b/c of the storm would have been obama supporters and then he would have won and thus the media outlets wouldn't have been completely wrong …

FYI .. CBS just used the phrase regarding Obama "inspirational change rhetoric" … GO CBS FOR SEEING OBAMA FOR WHAT HE IS

But then again .. any way the wind blows

Dem08   February 5th, 2008 9:12 pm ET

Parody or not, its still rude and stupid.

Judy   February 5th, 2008 9:14 pm ET

Hey, Those tornados are for real. I spoke to my mom and they are everwhere in Arkansas and TN. I hope everyone is ok and that people get home safely…Republican or Democrat.

NC-dem   February 5th, 2008 9:16 pm ET

Former Memphis resident here, too (10 yrs.) Sorry to hear about Hickory Ridge Mall. Maybe I need to do some checking on a few old friends! Thanks for the update.

California Independent   February 5th, 2008 9:16 pm ET

To continue with Obama Supporters joke….. and yesterday Clinton coughed. She is so calculating. Clinton and the DNC planned these storms from the get go and Clinton is spreading her cold so she can pander for the 'ill' vote. The evil, evil virus ridden Clinton. Yes, that is sarcasm. Yes, I voted for Clinton.

This is unfortunate. There were reports of flash flooding etc. in other states earlier today. It is concerning.

Back to the numbers people. How's your candidate doing?

Casey   February 5th, 2008 9:17 pm ET

New Jersey for Clinton!

Casey   February 5th, 2008 9:18 pm ET

Why is CNN trying to blame her win on a single tornado????

Lynda   February 5th, 2008 9:18 pm ET

All y'all need to stop taking these things so PERSONALLY. I recognized immediately that Obama supporter didn't actually believe Clinton created a tornado. Get over it, peops. Having lived through Katrina, I know that we often used humor (and still do!) to get through it. I don't think any fun was being made at the expense of the tornado victims in that comment. And frankly, if Hillary is going to play with the big dogs, she needs to be able to get rough and tumble… that goes for her supporters, as well. She is not your china doll to protect. Lighten up, y'all.

jeanette   February 5th, 2008 9:19 pm ET

Tornado's in Tennessee. Yeah, they kept Obama voters home, but not Clinton voters. That's why she's winning. Think I'll switch the TV and watch "House". Great reporting CNN. Your bias is showing AGAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JJ

Max Power, Springfeild   February 5th, 2008 9:23 pm ET

go ron pawl

Paul says   February 5th, 2008 9:29 pm ET

Clinton may have got more votes in Arkansas, maybe even more in TN.
I hope all are save in the meantime. CNN keep back pedaling with your prior bias

Paul says   February 5th, 2008 9:32 pm ET

Clinton may have got more votes in Arkansas, maybe even more in TN.
I hope all are save in the meantime. CNN keep back pedaling with your prior bias

Dem08   February 5th, 2008 9:35 pm ET

Hope all you know that 86 people have been injured and there are deaths from this storm. Not such a parody for those people.

This is a tragic story, and those people who used this for a laugh or a way to bash Clinton are very disturbed and sad people.

Sandi   February 5th, 2008 9:40 pm ET

Chad,
While we trust Lou and Wolf during these political storms, my money is on you to let me know what's happening outside during the weather, wind and very rain storms. Glad you are in the CNN weather center keeping me posted.

Yours from Arkansas….

Sandi

sarah   February 5th, 2008 9:41 pm ET

i voted ron paul, how come he is never mentioned? never his ideals, voting record, name even. i belived media coverage should be equal… this is scandalous!!!!!

Philip   February 5th, 2008 10:34 pm ET

The sudden closure of voting stations earlier in Tennessee is by far irresponsible. Such an incident can only be justified in a third World Country where advanced technology is lacking. I think, the Severity level of the Tornado could have been predicted and cautioned. Plans A,B and C could have been worked out.

KP   February 5th, 2008 10:40 pm ET

Obama's numbers would have been better in Tennessee if more people in Memphis and West TN had voted simply because that is the region of the state with the largest number of black voters. That is not a racist comment– it is just fact that Middle & East TN have fewer black people living there (M & E TN are also more Republican than Democratic W TN).
That doesn't mean that only black people vote for Obama, or that black people support only Obama, either. Clinton may have won the state anyway, but the Memphis area, had it not been interrupted by very bad weather, would probably have had more voters for Obama.
Please pray for the people in the path of these very strong storms.

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