West Virginia voters are heading to the polls in their state's primary election to pick the Democratic Party's nominee for the US presidential poll.
West Virginia voters are heading to the polls in their state's primary election to pick the Democratic Party's nominee for the US presidential ballot.
Senator Hillary Clinton went into the ballot with a big lead in the opinion polls over rival Senator Barack Obama.
Sen Hillary Clinton went into the primary with a big lead in the opinion polls over rival Sen Barack Obama.
Mr Obama remains the clear frontrunner in the overall contest, having garnered more support and more cash.
Mr Obama remains the clear frontrunner in the overall contest, having garnered more support and more cash.
Correspondents say even the expected easy win for Mrs Clinton will do little to alter the course of the battle.
Correspondents say even the expected easy win for Mrs Clinton will do little to alter the course of the battle.
In the primaries and caucuses so far, Mr Obama has won more of the delegates who will choose the party's nominee at the Democratic National Convention this summer.
In the primaries and caucuses so far, Mr Obama has won more of the delegates who will choose the party's nominee at the Democratic National Convention this summer.
An additional 26 super-delegates - party and elected officials - have declared their support for him in the past week, according to the Associated Press news agency, swelling his lead.
An additional two dozen superdelegates - party and elected officials - have declared their support for him in the past week, according to the Associated Press news agency, swelling his lead.
Pressure
Pressure
Mrs Clinton has been campaigning hard in West Virginia, although only 28 delegates are at stake.
Mrs Clinton has been campaigning hard in West Virginia, although only 28 delegates are at stake.
Mr Obama seems to be switching his focus to a general election battle
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Analysts say the state's demographics are in her favour, with a population that is 95% white, largely blue collar and culturally conservative.
Voters in West Virginia's Democratic primary make their choice between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama
Such groups have tended to support Mrs Clinton in previous primary elections.
She hopes a big win will bolster her argument that she is stronger than Mr Obama in the kind of states likely to be key battlegrounds in November's general election, analysts say.
Polls are due to open at 0630 local time (1130 BST) and will close at 1930 (0030 BST).
The state's demographics are in her favour, with a population that is 95% white, largely blue collar and culturally conservative. Such groups have tended to support Mrs Clinton in previous primary elections.
Polls opened at 0630 local time (1130 BST) and will close at 1930 (0030 BST).
Mrs Clinton has resisted pressure to bow out of the race, despite Mr Obama's growing advantage in terms of delegates and her rapidly dwindling campaign war chest.
Mrs Clinton has resisted pressure to bow out of the race, despite Mr Obama's growing advantage in terms of delegates and her rapidly dwindling campaign war chest.
West Virginia is among six states still to hold primaries before the Democratic Party officially declares at its August convention who will take on presumptive Republican candidate John McCain in November's general election.
Campaigning on Monday, she said: "I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't believe that I could be the best president for West Virginia and America and that I was the stronger candidate to take on John McCain in the fall."
After West Virginia, only a handful of primary contests remain before the Democratic Party officially declares at its August convention who will take on presumptive Republican candidate John McCain in November.
The next primaries will be in Oregon and Kentucky on 20 May.
The next primaries will be in Oregon and Kentucky on 20 May.
Shift of focus
Mr Obama appeared in Charleston, West Virginia, on Monday but appears to have largely switched his focus to a potential general election campaign against Mr McCain.
Mr Obama appeared in Charleston, West Virginia, on Monday but appears to have largely switched his focus to a potential general election campaign against Mr McCain.
In the coming days he plans to visit Florida, Michigan and Missouri - all expected to be general election battleground states - as well as remaining primary states South Dakota and Oregon, his campaign said.
Mr Obama says Democrats will unite behind their nominee
In Nebraska, both parties are holding primary elections to choose their nominee to compete in November for the Senate seat of retiring two-term Republican Chuck Hagel. Congressional contests are also taking place in West Virginia and Mississippi.
Speaking in Kentucky on Monday evening, he said the Democrats would unify behind the party's nominee and also try to pick up support from independents and Republicans.
In the coming days he will visit Missouri, Michigan and Florida - all expected to be general election battleground states - as well as remaining primary states South Dakota and Oregon, his campaign said.
In Nebraska, both parties are holding primary elections to choose their nominee to compete in November for the Senate seat of retiring two-term Republican Chuck Hagel.
A Republican presidential primary is also taking place, although Mr McCain is already the effective nominee.
Nebraska's Democrats held their presidential caucus on 9 February.
Congressional contests are also taking place in West Virginia and Mississippi.
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