Election officials are touting air conditioned polling places in Tennessee as a dangerous heat wave bakes a large swath of the nation from Texas to New York.
Heat advisories or warnings were in effect in 18 states Thursday, with temperatures in the mid to upper 90s and high humidity driving the heat index well over 100.
The National Weather Service says the hottest air of the summer has moved into the mid-South. It called the heat wave dangerous and urged people to avoid outdoor work, drink lots of liquids and stay cool.
Tennessee is holding state primary and local general elections, with highs forecast at 101 degrees in Memphis and 98 in Nashville. Election officials encouraged voters to turn out by stressing that ballot stations are air conditioned.
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