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Puerto Rico holds Democrat vote Puerto Ricans 'back Clinton run'
(about 3 hours later)
Puerto Ricans are voting in one of the Democratic Party's final primaries to decide who will secure the US presidential nomination. US TV networks project that Puerto Ricans have backed Hillary Clinton in one of the last primary polls to decide the Democratic presidential nominee.
The poll could help decide whether Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton goes on to run for president. A win in Puerto Rico is viewed as a symbolic yet important victory.
Mrs Clinton would still trail Barack Obama, who remains the clear leader in the race.
Mrs Clinton's campaign suffered a setback on Saturday when the party took a compromise decision over delegates from Florida and Michigan.Mrs Clinton's campaign suffered a setback on Saturday when the party took a compromise decision over delegates from Florida and Michigan.
She is still trailing Mr Obama, who remains the clear leader in the race. While a victory in Puerto Rico will do little to narrow the Obama lead in the race for elected delegates to the Democratic nominating convention in August, it could help Senator Clinton convince uncommitted delegates to back her presidential bid.
Mrs Clinton's supporters have said they reserve the right to appeal against the Democratic Party committee ruling that restored some of the votes for her from Florida and Michigan. The final two Democratic nominating contests - Montana and South Dakota - will be held on Tuesday.
Compromise deal
Mrs Clinton's supporters have said they reserve the right to appeal against the earlier Democratic Party committee ruling that restored some of the votes for her from Florida and Michigan.
Mrs Clinton won both states, but both were initially discounted because they held their primaries in January, in contravention of party rules.Mrs Clinton won both states, but both were initially discounted because they held their primaries in January, in contravention of party rules.
Neither candidate campaigned in the contests, and in Michigan, Mr Obama's name was not even on the ballot.Neither candidate campaigned in the contests, and in Michigan, Mr Obama's name was not even on the ballot.
Compromise deal
Mrs Clinton wanted the committee to allow delegates from Florida and Michigan to vote at the Democratic National Convention in August.Mrs Clinton wanted the committee to allow delegates from Florida and Michigan to vote at the Democratic National Convention in August.
DELEGATE COUNT Total delegates: Obama, 2052; Clinton, 1877Elected delegates: Obama, 1721; Clinton, 1587Super-delegates: Obama, 331; Clinton, 290Winner needs 2118 delegatesPuerto Rico has 55 elected delegates, South Dakota and Montana have 31 between them Source: AP at 1500 GMT on 1 June Q&A: What's next?DELEGATE COUNT Total delegates: Obama, 2052; Clinton, 1877Elected delegates: Obama, 1721; Clinton, 1587Super-delegates: Obama, 331; Clinton, 290Winner needs 2118 delegatesPuerto Rico has 55 elected delegates, South Dakota and Montana have 31 between them Source: AP at 1500 GMT on 1 June Q&A: What's next?
Delegates to that convention, chosen in votes in each state, will decide which politician becomes the Democratic Party candidate in November's presidential election.Delegates to that convention, chosen in votes in each state, will decide which politician becomes the Democratic Party candidate in November's presidential election.
The compromise give Mrs Clinton 69 delegates in Michigan, compared to Mr Obama's 59. And in Florida, she gains 105 delegates to Mr Obama's 67. The compromise gives Mrs Clinton 69 delegates in Michigan, compared to Mr Obama's 59. And in Florida, she gains 105 delegates to Mr Obama's 67.
This reduces Mr Obama's lead - previously 202 - by 48, but the delegates from Michigan and Florida will only have half a vote each, so her gains are reduced.This reduces Mr Obama's lead - previously 202 - by 48, but the delegates from Michigan and Florida will only have half a vote each, so her gains are reduced.
But, barring appeals, Mr Obama's victory looks more certain than ever, says the BBC's Jamie Coomarasamy in Washington.But, barring appeals, Mr Obama's victory looks more certain than ever, says the BBC's Jamie Coomarasamy in Washington.
Mrs Clinton is expected to do well in Puerto Rico - a territory associated with the United States, not a state. It will send 55 pledged delegates to the convention. Mrs Clinton was expected to do well in Puerto Rico - a territory associated with the United States, not a state. It will send 55 pledged delegates to the convention.
The primary is open to all registered voters on the island as Puerto Rico does not register voters by party. The primary was open to all registered voters on the island as Puerto Rico does not register voters by party.
But Puerto Ricans will not get to vote in the US general elections in November.But Puerto Ricans will not get to vote in the US general elections in November.
Democrats in Montana and South Dakota vote on Tuesday - the last two Democrat primaries of the season.