This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-us-canada-16667468

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
South Carolina primary: Voting under way in tight race South Carolina primary: Voting under way in tight race
(about 3 hours later)
Voting has begun in the US state of South Carolina as Republican candidates continue their battle for presidential nomination.Voting has begun in the US state of South Carolina as Republican candidates continue their battle for presidential nomination.
Opinion polls suggest a tight race between frontrunner Mitt Romney and former house speaker Newt Gingrich.Opinion polls suggest a tight race between frontrunner Mitt Romney and former house speaker Newt Gingrich.
Saturday's election is a crucial test for the four remaining contenders.Saturday's election is a crucial test for the four remaining contenders.
The stakes are particularly high in South Carolina as the winner there has gone on to win the nomination in every election since 1980.The stakes are particularly high in South Carolina as the winner there has gone on to win the nomination in every election since 1980.
Polls opened across the state at 07:00 (12:00 GMT).Polls opened across the state at 07:00 (12:00 GMT).
The other two candidates left in the race are former Senator Rick Santorum and Congressman Ron Paul.The other two candidates left in the race are former Senator Rick Santorum and Congressman Ron Paul.
'Near showdown''Near showdown'
Poor weather is dampening hopes for a high turnout in the Republican primary in South Carolina. Party officials are hoping 450,000 voters turn out for the primary, which is open to all including independents and registered Democrats. But grey skies turned to heavy rain mid-morning just as the crowds were starting to build.Poor weather is dampening hopes for a high turnout in the Republican primary in South Carolina. Party officials are hoping 450,000 voters turn out for the primary, which is open to all including independents and registered Democrats. But grey skies turned to heavy rain mid-morning just as the crowds were starting to build.
Voters at the Amick's Ferry polling place in Chapin, South Carolina, said they were motivated by what they saw as the need to get the US "back on track" after three years of Barack Obama's presidency.Voters at the Amick's Ferry polling place in Chapin, South Carolina, said they were motivated by what they saw as the need to get the US "back on track" after three years of Barack Obama's presidency.
Susan Mallini said Republicans would unite behind their eventual nominee, despite a rancorous campaign so far. "We are unsure which of the Republican candidates would be the best," she said.Susan Mallini said Republicans would unite behind their eventual nominee, despite a rancorous campaign so far. "We are unsure which of the Republican candidates would be the best," she said.
But most would back any of them against Mr Obama, adding: "This is a critical election for the country."But most would back any of them against Mr Obama, adding: "This is a critical election for the country."
Mr Gingrich has seen his support rise in the days before the primary, despite being hit by allegations by his former wife Marianne that he had wanted an open marriage.Mr Gingrich has seen his support rise in the days before the primary, despite being hit by allegations by his former wife Marianne that he had wanted an open marriage.
His recent success is considered a real challenge to Mr Romney, who has remained high in opinion polls and won the last primary in New Hampshire.His recent success is considered a real challenge to Mr Romney, who has remained high in opinion polls and won the last primary in New Hampshire.
It was initially declared that he had won polls in Iowa but the result was overturned, after it emerged there had been a mix-up on the vote count.It was initially declared that he had won polls in Iowa but the result was overturned, after it emerged there had been a mix-up on the vote count.
At one point on Saturday, Mr Romney and Mr Gingrich were set to cross paths in Greenville, but Mr Romney appeared at Tommy's Ham House earlier than planned.At one point on Saturday, Mr Romney and Mr Gingrich were set to cross paths in Greenville, but Mr Romney appeared at Tommy's Ham House earlier than planned.
"I'm the only guy's who's spent his life in the real world," Mr Romney, standing on a chair in the crowded restaurant, declared."I'm the only guy's who's spent his life in the real world," Mr Romney, standing on a chair in the crowded restaurant, declared.
He added: "We've got a long way to go. So come join us in Florida, in Nevada, Michigan, Colorado. We've got a long way to go."He added: "We've got a long way to go. So come join us in Florida, in Nevada, Michigan, Colorado. We've got a long way to go."
When Mr Gingrich walked in - just minutes after Mr Romney left - he said, "where's Mitt?"When Mr Gingrich walked in - just minutes after Mr Romney left - he said, "where's Mitt?"
"I need your help," Mr Gingrich said. "This is a very, very important day. We have an opportunity to nominate the genuine conservative who can debate, and who can take it to Barack Obama.""I need your help," Mr Gingrich said. "This is a very, very important day. We have an opportunity to nominate the genuine conservative who can debate, and who can take it to Barack Obama."
Primaries and caucuses will be held in every US state over the next few months to pick a Republican nominee before the eventual winner is anointed at the party convention in August to take on Mr Obama in November.Primaries and caucuses will be held in every US state over the next few months to pick a Republican nominee before the eventual winner is anointed at the party convention in August to take on Mr Obama in November.
Results are due to start coming in from about 7:30pm (00:30 GMT Sunday).