Early indications from Tuscaloosa County polling sites Tuesday morning point toward a strong turnout for the Alabama Senate race pitting Democrat Doug Jones against Republican Roy Moore.

At 10 a.m. Tuesday, 946 people had voted at the Belk Activity Center. On Loop Road, around 414 people had voted at the McAbee Activity Center. In addition, Mount Pilgrim Baptist Church on 39th Street East also had high turnout.

However, places like University Mall were experiencing a relatively low turnout before 10 a.m.

Poll watcher Ginger Buck said turnout was heavy at New Zion Church in Northport. More people had cast votes there by 9 a.m. than voted in the primary, she said. Around 200 people had voted, according to totals just before 11 a.m.

In Northport, more than 900 people turned out to the Northport Civic Center before noon. Poll supervisor Marzett Hinton said there would likely be over 1,000 votes cast by after 12 p.m. Hinton said he is already seeing higher turnout than during the same time back in the primary.

Debbie Neal, a lifelong Northport resident, did not reveal who she voted for, but that choosing between Moore and Jones was “equally discouraging.”

“It’s one of the hardest choices I’ve had to make,” Neal said.

Despite the challenge, Neal said it was important for her to come out and vote.

“It’s my right to vote,” she said. “If you don’t vote, you have no right to complain about the outcome.”

Christian Copeland, a student at the University of Alabama, said he voted for Moore and that the allegations of sexual misconduct against him had no affect on his vote.

“He reflects my party views,” Copeland said. “Doug Jones does not.”

Copeland believes the election is important.

“I definitely think this is big,” he said.

Probate Judge Hardy McCollum said that across Tuscaloosa County, voter turnout has been brisk, but that activity later in the day will be a better indicator of voter turnout.

"The better judge of turnout will be after lunch," McCollum said.

However, McCollum said early turnout so far has indicated higher numbers than the same period during the Senate primary held in August. During the primary, 15.8 percent of the registered voters in the county turned out at the polls, lower than the 17.6 percent that turnout out statewide. In Tuscaloosa County, Moore garnered 40.4 percent of the Republican vote during the primary against Luther Strange and 53 percent during the runoff held in September. Jones received 73.2 percent of the Democratic vote during the August primary.

"There seems to be more interest this time around that is turning people out," McCollum said.

At midday, the probate offices in much of West Alabama said it was too early to judge turnout. However, the probate office in Green County said turnout was average, and staff in Sumter County reported active turnout.

The Hale County Probate Office said turnout was higher than usual during the first four hours polls were open. The office is predicting 25 percent turnout driven by the publicity surrounding the race. The Republican runoff saw about 1,000 voters turnout. As of noon, approximately 2,400 had voted at the county’s two largest polling locations.

The polls close at 7 p.m.

Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill predicted a 25 percent turnout statewide.

2:50 p.m.

Tuscaloosa County could potentially be poised to have a much higher turnout in the Alabama Senate election.

Probate Judge Hardy McCollum said that based on higher returns coming in the afternoon, the county could potentially have a 20-25 percent voter turnout. During the Senate primary held in August, there was only a 15.8 percent turnout.

"I think pretty much countywide is showing a whole lot more than the last time," McCollum said.

McCollum said that typically, a strong turnout during the morning is indicative of an equally strong turnout during the afternoon.

Statewide, election officials are seeing increased turnout in areas that would typically benefit both candidates, according to John Bennett, deputy chief of staff for Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill.

"We’re seeing turnout in rural areas as well as metro areas," Bennett said. "We’re seeing motivated, energized voters coming in."

Before 3 p.m., Bennett said it was too early to predict what voter turnout would be across Alabama. Previously, Merrill predicted at least 25 percent turnout or higher.

Bennett said he had not heard of any voter malfeasance as of early Tuesday afternoon.

Former state lawmaker and political observer Steve Flowers was surprised by the turnout as of Tuesday afternoon. Flowers originally expected statewide turnout would be near 21 percent, a situation which has historically favored Moore and his reliable base.

“However, the story of the day is there is extraordinarily large turnout, much higher than anticipated,” Flowers said.

Flowers predicted turnout could reach 30-35 percent. Flowers said turnout in rural white communities and among black voters in rural and urban areas has been high.

The turnout by African American voters will make the race much closer than originally expected, Flowers said.

6:55 p.m.

Dora Alexander has supervised and worked polling locations in Tuscaloosa County for over 30 years and that for the first time, she has seen something different in this election.

"I'm seeing some people vote that I have never seen before," Alexanders said.

Alexander supervised the polling at the Bobby Miller Center in Taylorville and saw large numbers of people come through. By 7 a.m., over 400 people voted in the election. By noon, the number reached 1,000. By 3 p.m., the number exceeded 2,600.

Tom Nelson was one voter who cast his ballot in Taylorville. Nelson supported Roy Moore based on a single issue.

"He shares my same views on being pro-life," Nelson said.

Nelson said allegations against Moore did not sway his opinion of him because he felt they had not been proven. More importantly, he feels Moore is the person who reflects his values in Washington.

"I don't have anything against Doug Jones," he said. "I just don't agree with him on that issue."

Angela Payne said she voted for Doug Jones because she wants Alabama to be represented in a positive light.

"Judge Moore has got to go," Payne said.

Payne's mother, Catherine, said she felt Jones represented what she wanted in life as a lifelong Democrat.

"I need someone in Washington who is going to be my voice," she said.

Reach Drew Taylor at drew.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0204.