Republican Governor Turned Away From Poll, Democrat's Office Gets Skunked

Nov. 7, 2006 — -- Reports from ABC News reporters covering the elections throughout the country.

Missouri's Talent "Not Ready" to Say People Outside Missouri "Won or Lost" Race
ABC News' Aaron Katersky reports: After voting in St. Louis County this morning, Sen. Jim Talent, R-Mo., showed a hint of frustration with the way in which his Senate race had been impacted by the national climate.

"Win or lose, this has been my campaign," Talent said. "I'm not ready to say that people outside Missouri won or lost this for me."

After waiting in a sizable line to cast her ballot, Democratic state Auditor Claire McCaskill said she had never been so happy to stand in a line and predicted that "more people would vote today in Missouri than ever have in a midterm election."

Dems Worry Indianapolis Voting Problems Could Endanger African-American Incumbent
ABC News' Mark Halperin reports: National Democrats are worried that voting problems in African-American neighborhoods could endanger Rep. Julia Carson, D-Ind., of Indianapolis.

Carson's 7th Congressional District was not on the ABC News Political Unit's competitive list, but it is a race that Democrats have had to work on more than most to make sure she does not become an endangered incumbent.

The concern is that if there are widespread problems in her Democratic performing areas that she may lose the seat. The Indiana Democratic Party tells ABC News it is not overly concerned that the problems are disproportionately affecting Carson, but national Democrats are keeping a careful watch on it.

South Carolina Republican Governor Turned Away From Polls
The Associated Press reports: "Even Gov. Mark Sanford needs the right ID to vote in South Carolina. One day after eye injuries interrupted his last day of campaigning, Sanford forgot his voter registration card and was turned away from the polls, returning 90 minutes later to cast his ballot.

"I hope my luck turns," Sanford said. "Yesterday, I had the eye issue. Today, I was absentminded and didn't have my voter registration card."

Poll workers at a Sullivans Island precinct turned the governor away when he didn't have his registration card and the driver's license he showed had a Columbia address. He returned later with a new card. http://www.abcnews.go.com/Politics/wireStory?id=2635123

Mehlman Whips Things Into a Frenzy on Limbaugh's Radio Show
ABC News' Mark Halperin reports: On Rush Limbaugh's radio show, RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman is saying there are problems in many states that are working to the advantages of Democrats -- improper conduct in some cases (fraud and intimidation) and things such as ballot shortages.