Record turnout reported for Democratic New Hampshire primary
By Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles (tca/dpa) - Voters in New Hampshire's Tuesday Democratic presidential primary set a state party record, following lower-than-expected turnout in Iowa.
The total of 300,622 ballots surpassed the state's previous record from the 2008 primary, when 288,672 ballots were cast, according to the New Hampshire secretary of state.
For Democrats trying to gauge interest in the race, that was a welcome contrast to turnout in the Iowa caucuses on February 3. Party leaders had anticipated the turnout in Iowa might top the nearly 240,000 who showed up in 2008. But, despite the close race and the eagerness of many Democrats to defeat President Donald Trump, turnout barely beat the 170,000 mark from 2016.
On Tuesday in New Hampshire, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders edged out the rest of the field, with former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg close behind and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar in third place.
In the Republican primary presidential election, 156,418 ballots were cast, 85 per cent for Trump. His main challenger, former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld, received 9 per cent of the vote.
Tuesday's results signalled the end for some campaigns, with three Democratic candidates - entrepreneur Andrew Yang, Colorado Senatore Michael Bennet, and former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick - announcing they were dropping out.
The Democratic candidates will now compete in Nevada, where voters will have the chance to either participate in early voting or caucus on February 22.
On Tuesday in New Hampshire, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders edged out the rest of the field, with former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg close behind and Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar in third place.
In the Republican primary presidential election, 156,418 ballots were cast, 85 per cent for Trump. His main challenger, former Massachusetts governor Bill Weld, received 9 per cent of the vote.
Tuesday's results signalled the end for some campaigns, with three Democratic candidates - entrepreneur Andrew Yang, Colorado Senatore Michael Bennet, and former Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick - announcing they were dropping out.
The Democratic candidates will now compete in Nevada, where voters will have the chance to either participate in early voting or caucus on February 22.