Personally I think that the 'unusually high' nature of the turnout is due to a new program - the unusually focused get-out-the-vote drive from the GOP. The 'rats have been doing that for several election cycles already so there would be nothing unusual if it were only the leftist brigades coming out in force.
I don't know what's causing it, but I'm convinced that the people who usually use fraud and the VNS to steal elections, coupled with Benedict Jeffords and the deep seated anger that created, and the wellstone rally and the switcheroo in New jersey, I think IT's Time.......
FWIW I also think in New Jersey many democrats are turned off and staying home, and the independents, who favor Forrester by 15% are turning out......
IMHO