US News

New Hampshire heads to presidential primary polls

Jan 10, 2012, 5:27 GMT

US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) shakes hands with supporters following a campaign stop at Gilchrist Metal Fabricating in Hudson, New Hampshire, USA, on 09 January 2012. EPA/JUSTIN LANE

Manchester, New Hampshire - Voters in the north-eastern US state of New Hampshire were headed to the polls Tuesday in a primary contest that will help determine which Republican candidate faces President Barack Obama in November general election.

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney was the clear favourite, but all the major candidates have been traveling the state in recent days to rally support.

Political analysts said the main race is for second place. Ron Paul has been in second in opinion surveys, and has strong appeal to the state's independent streak with his stances on free markets, smaller government and opposition to US foreign intervention.

Other players who could make a strong showing include Jon Huntsman, a former Utah governor and ambassador to China, who has staked his entire campaign on success in New Hampshire after skipping the Iowa caucuses. Rick Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator, has gained ground after coming within eight votes of Romney in Iowa, while former speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich has also sought to present himself as a conservative alternative to Romney.

The tiny state of 1.3 million residents plays an outsized role in picking presidential contenders, and has long held the first party primaries. Along with the small central state of Iowa, which holds party caucuses, New Hampshire draws inordinate attention from candidates who spend months attempting to woo voters face-to-face.

Each town in the state sets its own polling hours, but some votes will be cast when the first polls open at 6 am (1100 GMT) and all will close by 8 pm (0100 GMT Wednesday).