US Republicans Face First Primary

Former Governor of Massachusetts and US Republican Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney holds Romney for President grassroots rally at Valley Fairgrounds in Davenport, Iowa, USA, 02 January 2012. Photo by BGNES

New Hampshire voters are picking a Republican presidential candidate as the US state hosts the first primary of this year's election season.

Eve-of-vote opinion polls showed Mitt Romney's big lead shrinking slightly as rivals savaged his business record.

Jon Huntsman, who has all but staked his entire candidacy on Tuesday's vote, was competing for second place with Ron Paul, according to pollsters.

The eventual nominee will challenge President Barack Obama in November.

Primaries and caucuses will be held in every US state over the next few months to choose a Republican candidate before the eventual winner is crowned at the party convention in August.

New Hampshire is expected to give former Massachusetts Governor Romney his second victory, after he was declared the winner over Rick Santorum by the slimmest of margins in last week's Iowa caucuses.

Most polls open at 07:00 (12:00 GMT) and close at 20:00 local time.

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