(1;55-p.m.) DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa office that administers elections says local officials are reporting higher than expected Election Day voter turnout. Secretary of State’s office spokesman Kevin Hall says several county auditors around the state have reported a higher percentage of voters than they anticipated.

He says the number of Iowans who voted early was down by about 40,000 this year compared to 2012, which could explain the busier Election Day precincts. Nearly 1.6 million voters participated overall in 2012, or about 73 percent of registered voters. Hall says it’s too early to say how this year will ultimately compare.

Hall says the election appears to be running smoothly so far, with no major problems preventing people from voting.