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Polls close in S Carolina primary Polls close in S Carolina primary
(10 minutes later)
Votes are now being counted in South Carolina, where Democratic Party supporters have been choosing who they want to run for US president.Votes are now being counted in South Carolina, where Democratic Party supporters have been choosing who they want to run for US president.
Voting has been brisk, with some officials predicting a record turnout. Voting in the primary election has been brisk, with some officials predicting a record turnout.
Ahead of the vote, opinion polls gave Barack Obama a solid lead over Hillary Clinton, with John Edwards third. Early projections based on exit polls give Barack Obama a win over Hillary Clinton, with John Edwards third.
This is the final test for the Democrats before Super Tuesday in 10 days' time, when more than 20 states will vote in primary contests. This is the Democrats' final test before Super Tuesday in 10 days' time, when more than 20 states will vote.
Republicans have already held their poll in South Carolina, and are now campaigning for their next primary in Florida on Tuesday. Republicans have already held their poll in South Carolina, and are now campaigning for their next primary election in Florida on Tuesday.
On Saturday morning long queues of voters formed at polling stations in South Carolina, amid chilly, overcast weather.On Saturday morning long queues of voters formed at polling stations in South Carolina, amid chilly, overcast weather.
It was thought more than 300,000 people might express their preference before polls closed at 1900 local time (0000 GMT).It was thought more than 300,000 people might express their preference before polls closed at 1900 local time (0000 GMT).
Psychological boostPsychological boost
It is the Democrats' first primary in the South of the US, where black voters are likely to play a big role.It is the Democrats' first primary in the South of the US, where black voters are likely to play a big role.
Edwards won in 2004 but is not expected to repeat the featEdwards won in 2004 but is not expected to repeat the feat
It is generally calculated that most of South Carolina's large African American community - which makes up around half of the Democratic vote - is behind Mr Obama, and that Mrs Clinton will finish some distance behind, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly.It is generally calculated that most of South Carolina's large African American community - which makes up around half of the Democratic vote - is behind Mr Obama, and that Mrs Clinton will finish some distance behind, says the BBC's Kevin Connolly.
If that proves to be the case, it would hand a psychological boost to Mr Obama before Super Tuesday, our correspondent says.If that proves to be the case, it would hand a psychological boost to Mr Obama before Super Tuesday, our correspondent says.
Mrs Clinton has spent part of the week campaigning outside South Carolina, signalling that she is not expecting to win there.Mrs Clinton has spent part of the week campaigning outside South Carolina, signalling that she is not expecting to win there.
The third candidate, John Edwards, is a native of the state, and won there in his failed run for the presidential nomination in 2004, but polls suggest he will not win this time.The third candidate, John Edwards, is a native of the state, and won there in his failed run for the presidential nomination in 2004, but polls suggest he will not win this time.
The idea of the first African-American nominee of a major party also is exhilarating, and so is the prospect of the first woman nominee New York Times Battle not black and whiteIn pictures: S Carolina votesThe idea of the first African-American nominee of a major party also is exhilarating, and so is the prospect of the first woman nominee New York Times Battle not black and whiteIn pictures: S Carolina votes
All three candidates made last-minute appearances in the state as polling was under way.All three candidates made last-minute appearances in the state as polling was under way.
Mr Obama greeted potential voters at a Baptist church, a historically black college and a restaurant in Columbia, while Mrs Clinton and daughter Chelsea stopped by a diner elsewhere in the state capital.Mr Obama greeted potential voters at a Baptist church, a historically black college and a restaurant in Columbia, while Mrs Clinton and daughter Chelsea stopped by a diner elsewhere in the state capital.
Mr Edwards talked to voters at a restaurant in Mount Pleasant and called into a polling station.Mr Edwards talked to voters at a restaurant in Mount Pleasant and called into a polling station.
He told reporters he would remain in the race no matter how he did in Saturday's vote, the Associated Press reports.He told reporters he would remain in the race no matter how he did in Saturday's vote, the Associated Press reports.
The battle between the two leading candidates has shown a touch of real nastiness, our correspondent adds. The battle between the two leading candidates has shown a touch of real nastiness, the BBC's Kevin Connolly adds.
Mr Obama accused Mrs Clinton of saying anything to get elected, after earlier accusing her husband Bill Clinton of making false statements about him.Mr Obama accused Mrs Clinton of saying anything to get elected, after earlier accusing her husband Bill Clinton of making false statements about him.
For her part, Mrs Clinton told Mr Obama it was hard to debate with someone who never took responsibility for any vote he cast. For her part, Mrs Clinton accused Mr Obama of never taking responsibility for any vote he cast.
On Thursday, the New York Times formally endorsed Mrs Clinton as its preferred Democratic candidate for the White House. Correspondents say both parties' contests for the presidential nomination are so close that they could continue for weeks after Super Tuesday this year.
It said it was hugely impressed by Mrs Clinton's knowledge, the force of her intellect and her experience. Once the candidate for each party has been selected, they will compete head-to-head to win the presidential election in November.
"The idea of the first African-American nominee of a major party also is exhilarating, and so is the prospect of the first woman nominee," it said in an editorial.
But it added: "'Firstness' is not a reason to choose."