For anyone question how networls are calling races with the GOP candidate in the lead---they look at the precincts that have NOT reported, check what the Dem did in the last election, and project, based on turnout/exit polls how that precinct is going to go this year.
Now, if the exit polls are screwy, these calls can be screwy.
Steele could be up, but it could be all GOP areas that have reported.
"My firm in DC is a lobbying firm and obviously has quite a stake in these elections so we're going to be getting turnout updates throughout the day. (For full disclosure my firm is 90-10 Republican so there may be some noise coming in that makes it 'look better' but it's still a nice resource to have)
My thoughts on turnouts and reports at 9:20 in the morning are that it's just a way to make the waiting game go by faster.
With that said in the two states that they are following closely this morning (MD and VA) they are reporting:
Larger than normal turnout in Rep districts in VA Larger than normal turnout in Dem districts in MD A "steady pace but nothing earth-shattering" in Northern VA*
*This is key because obviously Northern VA is typically a Dem stronghold. Some in the office are claiming this is a sign that Democrats are not getting out in Arlington/Alexandria. Others are saying that because of the nature of the Metro system(our public transportation) no good turnout info will be available until around noon. You can take a guess as to which side is saying what. "