A Davidson County chancellor ruled Nashville area polls would stay open later Tuesday night to accommodate voters affected by overnight tornadoes.
The chancellor ruled all polling sites in the county could remain open until 8 p.m. Central time. In addition, five designated "super" sites would remain open until 10 P.m. Central. Those sites are Cleveland Community, Pearl Cohn, Donelson Presbyterian, Howard School, and the Davidson County Election Commission.
The Tennessee Democratic Party sued the Davidson County Election Commission and Secretary of State Tre Hargett, claiming voting was impaired Tuesday because of overnight storms.
The lawsuit claimed hundreds of voters were unable to cast their vote across Davidson County after more than 15 polling locations suffered electrical and structural damage, as well as many polls being delayed from opening until 8:00 a.m. after destruction from an overnight tornado in Middle Tennessee.
The Tennessee Democratic Party wanted to ensure voters had enough time to cast ballots.
Davidson County voters affected by the storms had been told to divert to other locations.
Tornadoes in Wilson County and Putnam County also affected some polling stations. Voters there were notified of alternative sites where they could go.
The state Democratic Party issued a statement Tuesday afternoon:
"Following the destruction of the Middle Tennessee Tornado in the early morning hours of Super Tuesday, hundreds of voters’ ability to cast their vote across Davidson County was obstructed. More than 15 polling locations suffered electrical and structural damages and many polls were delayed from opening until 8:00 AM. Hundreds of voters that arrived at 7:00 AM were not able to cast their vote, and furthermore, many arriving throughout the day found their polling place closed."
The statement continued: "Failing to extend polling hours would cause irreparable harm to our democratic process."