Clinton leads in Indiana as record numbers turn out to vote

PinkNews logo surrounded by illustrated images including a rainbow, unicorn, PN sign and pride flag.

New York Senator Hillary Clinton is currently leading over Illinois Senator Barack Obama in early Indiana primary results.

In both Indiana and North Carolina, which is also holding a primary race today, voter turnout was expected to reach record numbers.

The CNN Poll of Polls released early on Tuesday indicated Clinton had around a four point lead over Obama in Indiana going into the contest.

Clinton currently leads over Obama 52 percent to 48 percent with 72 percent of precincts reporting in the Indiana Democratic primary.

Seventy-two delegates are up for grabs in the primary, with 13 superdelegates assigned to the state.

Polls taken before the contest today gave Clinton a favoured position in the Indiana primary, though she was predicted to win only by a slim margin.

Indiana Secretary of State Todd Rokita said Democratic turnout at the polls in the state esembled the numbers of a general election rather than a primary, but official voting statistics will not be released until the end of the day, according to CNN.

In Indianapolis, polling officials reported a record turnout after only six hours of voting.

In the Republican primary, presidential nominee John McCain leads 77 percent to 10 percent over Mike Huckabee with 72 percent of precincts reporting in.

Ron Paul trails in third with eight percent, followed by Mitt Romney at five percent. Although McCain has already secured the Republican nomination, voting results in the remaining contests could provide insight to the selection of the eventual Republican vice-presidential nominee.

© 2008 GayWired.com; All Rights Reserved.