2012 Ala. voter turnout close to 2008 numbers

Alabama Secretary of State Beth Chapman says that 72.4 percent of registered voters turned out Tuesday for the election.

Chapman had predicted that 72 to 74 percent would vote.

"This was the second historic election in the past four years with the highest turnout numbers we have every seen in this state," Chapman said.

In 2008, 74 percent of voters turned out. Long lines were reported all over the state. In the FOX6 viewing area, voters at the Irondale Senior Center and at Tuscaloosa's Bobby Miller Activity Center mentioned waiting three hours to vote.

SLIDESHOW: Strong voter turnout across Alabama

In the last year, Chapman says boards of registrars across the state have registered nearly 300,000 new voters. Chapman says though her office received few reports of problems, they are committed to addressing any issues.

"Our office will continue to process complaints and address any issues after Tuesday is over; however, I appreciate the hard work and effort put in by the local officials who make elections run as smoothly as possible in their counties," Chapman said.

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