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US votes on crucial Super Tuesday US votes on crucial Super Tuesday
(19 minutes later)
Millions of Americans across 24 states have begun casting their votes in the biggest day so far in the race to choose presidential candidates.Millions of Americans across 24 states have begun casting their votes in the biggest day so far in the race to choose presidential candidates.
About half the delegates to the two main parties' nominating conventions are being chosen on Super Tuesday.About half the delegates to the two main parties' nominating conventions are being chosen on Super Tuesday.
Republican Senator John McCain hopes to knock out his last serious challenger, ex-Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.Republican Senator John McCain hopes to knock out his last serious challenger, ex-Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.
But the Democratic race between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama remains too close to call.But the Democratic race between Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama remains too close to call.
The BBC's North America editor, Justin Webb, says one thing is certain: any candidate who does badly today will be finished.The BBC's North America editor, Justin Webb, says one thing is certain: any candidate who does badly today will be finished.
WHAT IS SUPER TUESDAY? 24 states holding simultaneous contests to help decide the Democratic and Republican presidential nominationsMore than half of each party's delegates - who will choose the candidate - are up for grabsKey states electing large numbers of delegates include California, New York and Illinois Last-minute battlegroundsJustin Webb's blogIn pictures: Super TuesdayWHAT IS SUPER TUESDAY? 24 states holding simultaneous contests to help decide the Democratic and Republican presidential nominationsMore than half of each party's delegates - who will choose the candidate - are up for grabsKey states electing large numbers of delegates include California, New York and Illinois Last-minute battlegroundsJustin Webb's blogIn pictures: Super Tuesday
Meanwhile, former Baptist minister Mike Huckabee picked up some early momentum, winning the 18 delegates up for grabs from West Virginia's Republican nominating convention.
A month ago, Mr Huckabee scored a comfortable victory in the Iowa caucuses, but since then his campaign has faltered.
Both parties' presidential hopefuls made last minute pushes for votes on the early morning US TV shows.Both parties' presidential hopefuls made last minute pushes for votes on the early morning US TV shows.
Mrs Clinton, who cast her own vote at a New York school, told CNN: "There are a lot of people who worry that the president just doesn't pay attention. I want them to know that I get it and I'll be there for them if they're willing to go out and vote for me today."Mrs Clinton, who cast her own vote at a New York school, told CNN: "There are a lot of people who worry that the president just doesn't pay attention. I want them to know that I get it and I'll be there for them if they're willing to go out and vote for me today."
Meanwhile, Mr Obama told NBC: "The fact that we've made so much progress I think indicates that we've got the right message, and the question is are we going to be able to pull some states out."Meanwhile, Mr Obama told NBC: "The fact that we've made so much progress I think indicates that we've got the right message, and the question is are we going to be able to pull some states out."
McCain optimisticMcCain optimistic
For his part, Mr Romney asserted his conservative credentials, telling Fox News that voters would be saying to themselves: " If I want the conservative [candidate] I've gotta vote for Mitt Romney - he's the only one who's got a realistic chance of getting this nomination."For his part, Mr Romney asserted his conservative credentials, telling Fox News that voters would be saying to themselves: " If I want the conservative [candidate] I've gotta vote for Mitt Romney - he's the only one who's got a realistic chance of getting this nomination."
And Mr Romney picked up some early momentum, winning the 18 delegates up for grabs from West Virginia's Republican nominating convention - the Associated Press reported. A further 12 delegates will be allocated after a statewide primary in the Spring.
Mr McCain, who was out campaigning in New York, said he was cautiously optimistic that the next 24 hours would settle his party's race in his favour.Mr McCain, who was out campaigning in New York, said he was cautiously optimistic that the next 24 hours would settle his party's race in his favour.
"I'm happy that we're doing as well as we are, but this could be a long night," he told NBC."I'm happy that we're doing as well as we are, but this could be a long night," he told NBC.
MAIN REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES Mike Huckabee: Former Arkansas governor, social conservative, evangelical ChristianMitt Romney: Former Massachusetts governor, business background, MormonJohn McCain: Front-runner, Arizona senator, former US Navy pilot and Vietnam prisoner-of-warLatest national poll figures: McCain 48%, Romney 24%, Huckabee 16%(source: Washington Post/ABC)MAIN REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES Mike Huckabee: Former Arkansas governor, social conservative, evangelical ChristianMitt Romney: Former Massachusetts governor, business background, MormonJohn McCain: Front-runner, Arizona senator, former US Navy pilot and Vietnam prisoner-of-warLatest national poll figures: McCain 48%, Romney 24%, Huckabee 16%(source: Washington Post/ABC)
A national poll for the Washington Post and ABC showed Mr McCain well ahead of his rivals. The Arizona senator had 48% against Mr Romney's 24%, with Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul trailing far behind.A national poll for the Washington Post and ABC showed Mr McCain well ahead of his rivals. The Arizona senator had 48% against Mr Romney's 24%, with Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul trailing far behind.
A month ago, former Baptist minister Mr Huckabee scored a comfortable victory in the Iowa caucuses, but since then his campaign has faltered.
Polls suggest he will have little chance of victory outside a handful of southern "Bible Belt" states.
A Reuters/C-Span/Zogby poll gave Mr McCain double digit leads over Mr Romney in New York, New Jersey and Missouri, although the former Massachusetts governor was ahead 40% to 32% in California.A Reuters/C-Span/Zogby poll gave Mr McCain double digit leads over Mr Romney in New York, New Jersey and Missouri, although the former Massachusetts governor was ahead 40% to 32% in California.
Nine of the states holding their Republican primaries, including big states such as New York and New Jersey, have a winner-takes-all system.Nine of the states holding their Republican primaries, including big states such as New York and New Jersey, have a winner-takes-all system.
Whoever gets the most voters in those states is awarded all of their delegates to the party's convention, where the candidate who wins more than 1,191 votes becomes the nominee for the presidential election.Whoever gets the most voters in those states is awarded all of their delegates to the party's convention, where the candidate who wins more than 1,191 votes becomes the nominee for the presidential election.
'Super delegates''Super delegates'
On the Democratic side, a national Washington Post/ABC poll on Monday showed Senator Clinton's lead over Senator Obama had narrowed to 4%.On the Democratic side, a national Washington Post/ABC poll on Monday showed Senator Clinton's lead over Senator Obama had narrowed to 4%.
MAIN DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES Barack Obama: Illinois senator, hoping to become first black US presidentHillary Clinton: New York senator, wife of former President Bill Clinton, hoping to become first woman presidentLatest national poll figures: Clinton 47%, Obama 43%(source: Washington Post/ABC)MAIN DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATES Barack Obama: Illinois senator, hoping to become first black US presidentHillary Clinton: New York senator, wife of former President Bill Clinton, hoping to become first woman presidentLatest national poll figures: Clinton 47%, Obama 43%(source: Washington Post/ABC)
Opinion polls suggest a tight Democratic race in many states, but in California a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll showed Mr Obama opening a 13-point lead over Mrs Clinton.Opinion polls suggest a tight Democratic race in many states, but in California a Reuters/C-SPAN/Zogby poll showed Mr Obama opening a 13-point lead over Mrs Clinton.
California - the most populous US state - has 370 delegates up for grabs. Some 2,025 are needed to win the Democratic Party ticket.California - the most populous US state - has 370 delegates up for grabs. Some 2,025 are needed to win the Democratic Party ticket.
Their delegates are allocated along more complex, proportional lines that can vary from district to district, making it more difficult to predict when one of the two remaining candidates will cross the decisive delegate threshold.Their delegates are allocated along more complex, proportional lines that can vary from district to district, making it more difficult to predict when one of the two remaining candidates will cross the decisive delegate threshold.
Further complicating the nomination contest is the presence of what are known as "super delegates" - members of the party hierarchy who will make up about a fifth of all those attending the party convention in late August.Further complicating the nomination contest is the presence of what are known as "super delegates" - members of the party hierarchy who will make up about a fifth of all those attending the party convention in late August.
SUPER TUESDAY: KEY TIMES 1100 GMT: Voting began in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York1730-1930 GMT: W Virginia Republican convention resultMidnight GMT: Polls close in Georgia, result due soon after0100 GMT: Voting ends in 11 primaries and caucuses, inc Illinois and Massachusetts0130 GMT: Arkansas primary ends0200 GMT: Polls close in seven states, inc N York and Arizona0400 GMT: Polls close in California Who's backing who?Super Tuesday voters' viewsSend us your predictionsBBC coverage guideSUPER TUESDAY: KEY TIMES 1100 GMT: Voting began in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York1730-1930 GMT: W Virginia Republican convention resultMidnight GMT: Polls close in Georgia, result due soon after0100 GMT: Voting ends in 11 primaries and caucuses, inc Illinois and Massachusetts0130 GMT: Arkansas primary ends0200 GMT: Polls close in seven states, inc N York and Arizona0400 GMT: Polls close in California Who's backing who?Super Tuesday voters' viewsSend us your predictionsBBC coverage guide
They can choose whom to support at any point between now and then. In close presidential races, their votes have proved decisive, our correspondent adds.They can choose whom to support at any point between now and then. In close presidential races, their votes have proved decisive, our correspondent adds.
In three states, only the Democratic Party is involved, and in two, only the Republican Party. In the other 19, which together account for nearly half the US population, both parties are in action.In three states, only the Democratic Party is involved, and in two, only the Republican Party. In the other 19, which together account for nearly half the US population, both parties are in action.
Georgia is the first state to end voting at 2400 GMT, although West Virginia Republicans will make their choices at a convention earlier in the day. Voting in California ends at 0400 GMT.Georgia is the first state to end voting at 2400 GMT, although West Virginia Republicans will make their choices at a convention earlier in the day. Voting in California ends at 0400 GMT.
In some states, voters have to be registered with a party to take part in the primaries. But more than half of the Super Tuesday states allow independents to vote.In some states, voters have to be registered with a party to take part in the primaries. But more than half of the Super Tuesday states allow independents to vote.
In California and New Jersey, and some other states, these unaffiliated voters number in their millions.In California and New Jersey, and some other states, these unaffiliated voters number in their millions.
New York state is the second-largest prize in the Super Tuesday contest. The BBC's Matthew Wells, in New York City, says there are signs there that voting there has been brisk.New York state is the second-largest prize in the Super Tuesday contest. The BBC's Matthew Wells, in New York City, says there are signs there that voting there has been brisk.
You can watch live coverage of all the Super Tuesday results on the BBC News website from 0000 GMT.You can watch live coverage of all the Super Tuesday results on the BBC News website from 0000 GMT.