Weather appeared to be a major factor in voter turnout Tuesday in Mississippi.

Heavy rains kept people away from polls in some areas, even in parts of Mississippi with highly contested congressional races.

Voting was brisk in areas where the weather was fair, especially in two congressional races in which Democratic incumbents were facing tough challenges from Republican state lawmakers.

Danny Klein, election commissioner in heavily populated Desoto County, said it was “pouring down rain” and he expected a slow day unless the weather cleared.

Jared Allen, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said most of Mississippi would get rain Tuesday, though it had not reached some areas in the south and northeast by midmorning.