Voting has begun in New Hampshire in the first primary of this year's US presidential election campaign.
Registered Democrats and independent voters have the chance to select their preferred candidate to challenge George W Bush in November.
Last minute polls suggest that the front runner is Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, who won the Iowa caucus last week.
However, they also indicate that former Vermont Governor Howard Dean is likely to put in a strong showing despite his disappointing performance a week ago.
Unlike the open caucus meetings in Iowa last week, the New Hampshire primary is a secret ballot.
Also campaigning hard in the state are retired General Wesley Clark, Senator John Edwards of North Carolina and Al Gore's former running mate in the last election, Joe Lieberman.
Republicans hold a primary too. But as George W Bush is unopposed as the party's nominee for President, it is not drawing any attention.
