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.
Hillary Clinton has beaten Barack Obama in West Virginia's Democratic presidential primary, US media outlets have projected.
Sen Hillary Clinton went into the primary with a big lead in the opinion polls over rival Sen Barack Obama.
Senator Clinton held a big opinion poll lead over Mr Obama ahead of the vote.
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 to become the party's nominee, having garnered more support and cash.
Correspondents say even the expected easy win for Mrs Clinton will do little to alter the course of the battle.
Correspondents say even a big Clinton win in West Virginia will do little to alter the race.
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 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.
An additional two dozen 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.
Pressure
Pressure
Mrs Clinton has been campaigning hard in West Virginia, although only 28 delegates are at stake.
Mrs Clinton campaigned hard in West Virginia, although only 28 delegates were at stake.
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Voters in West Virginia's Democratic primary make their choice between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama
Voters in West Virginia's Democratic primary make their choice between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama
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.
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.
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.
The state's demographics were 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).
US TV networks were able to call the race for Mrs Clinton as soon as the polls closed at 1930 local time (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.
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."
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.
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
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.
Hillary Clinton is trailing rival Barack Obama in the overall Democratic race
Hillary Clinton is trailing rival Barack Obama in the overall Democratic race
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.
His only public appearance on the evening of the West Virginia result was in Missouri, a state that has already held its Democratic primary, but which will be a key battleground in the general election this November.
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.
Speaking at a factory in the state, Mr Obama made no reference to the West Virginia contest, and focused almost all of his remarks on Mr McCain.
In the coming days he will also visit Michigan and Florida - both 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.
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.
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.
Nebraska's Democrats held their presidential caucus on 9 February.
Congressional contests are also taking place in West Virginia and Mississippi.
Congressional contests are also taking place in West Virginia and Mississippi.
Are you in West Virginia? Are you voting on Tuesday? Do you think the outcome of this primary will have any impact on the overall result? Send us your comments using the form below.
Are you in West Virginia? Are you voting on Tuesday? Do you think the outcome of this primary will have any impact on the overall result? Send us your comments using the form below.
