Voters Still Head To The Polls Despite Rain

Voters came out across Arkansas today to cast ballots in hotly contested presidential race along with US Senate and House races and three constitutional amendments. A steady rain fell in parts of the state but the National Weather Service canceled a flash flood watch that had been in effect earlier today for part of eastern and southeast Arkansas. --- dash --- Both Democrats and Republicans were working to get their voters to the polls. Democrats had recorded telephone messages from Bill Clinton and the Reverend Jesse Jackson urging Kerry supporters to vote. The Bush campaign had volunteers calling likely voters this morning, encouraging them to not be deterred by the weather or long lines. From Columbia County to Jefferson County and from Little Rock to Blytheville, county clerks reported heavy turnout and scattered problems. Election officials and poll watchers said no serious problems were encountered.