The Latest: Smooth start to election in Tennessee

Election, vote, voting tile
Election, vote, voting tile

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Republican Donald Trump comes into Election Day in Tennessee with strong support across the state, though supporters of Democrat Hillary Clinton have been encouraged by heavy turnout in early voting in urban areas.

Republican Gov. Bill Haslam refused to endorse Trump both before and after his presidential nomination. And on the eve of early voting, Haslam publicly rejected Trump's candidacy and said he would write in the name of another Republican on his ballot.

The governor's move led to a backlash from several county Republican parties, who filed resolutions urging support for Trump.

Clinton had all but conceded heavily Republican Tennessee for much of the campaign, but her supporters were energized late in the race by her debate performances and Trump's sliding poll numbers around the nation.

THE LATEST

10:15 a.m.

Officials say Election Day has begun smoothly in Tennessee as people cast ballots for U.S. House, the president and other offices.

Tennessee Secretary of State spokesman Adam Ghassemi said he hadn't heard of any major issues by mid-morning on Tuesday. He says heavy turnout is expected based on record-breaking early voting totals.

Tennessee's eight incumbent House members are expected to win re-election without much stress on Election Day.

Voters will also make a choice for president and for various statehouse races.

6:45 a.m.

Voters in Tennessee will decide whom to send to Washington to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Tennessee's eight incumbent House members - six Republicans and two Democrats - are expected to win re-election without much stress on Election Day.

In the solidly-Republican 8th District in West Tennessee, Republican Stephen Fincher vacated his seat with the surprise announcement earlier this year that he would not seek a fourth term. Republican David Kustoff, a former U.S. attorney, is taking on little-known Democrat Rickey Hobson there.

More than 1.6 million voters cast early ballots in Tennessee, likely spurred by the pivotal and contentious presidential race featuring Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump.

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