Coming up on the noon hour, turnout is reported to be very heavy at most polling places in north Jefferson County.

Lines were stretching well out into the parking lot at the Mt. Olive Community Center, and long lines were also reported in Gardendale and Fultondale. North Jefferson News readers also report long lines at polling places in Smokerise and Hayden in southern Blount County.

Elsewhere in metro Birmingham, extremely heavy turnout was reported in over-the-mountain precincts, which are predominantly Republican. Turnout in inner-city precincts is moderate to heavy.

Polls will be open until 7 p.m. today. We’ll have full reports through the evening at njeffersonnews.com.