*Notice! For continual live updates on the votes as they are reported, scroll down to the end of the article.
South Carolina Republicans went to the polls today to choose the candidate they prefer to face Barack Obama in the general election in November. Since 1980 the Palmetto State has chosen the one that would go on become the Republican nominee in each election since Ronald Reagan's historic victory over Jimmy Carter.
Thus, the state is viewed as a bellwether for Republicans, a reliable indicator as to who will become the likely nominee.
Cold, rainy conditions may be a factor in today's turnout. High temperatures today in the upstate, for example, were in the low 40s with intermittent heavy rain. But poll workers say that voter turnout has been moderate for the most part, heavy in some areas in spite of the weather.
In Greenville County, a conservative Republican stronghold, turnout in most precincts was heavy. When asked why they would venture out in such rainy conditions to vote in large numbers, several voters stated that they consider this election to be the most important in their lifetime and that making the right choice to face Barack Obama is key.
One voter stated that he wants a nominee who has a proven track record on conservative issues.
In the state capital of Columbia, located in the midlands, the Romney campaign headquarters indicated that the candidate is aware of the Newt Gingrich surge in the polls in recent days but that they still believe they have a good chance to win.
Across town at the Gingrich campaign headquarters there was excitement in the air as workers stated they have noted a big shift in favor of their candidate over the past week.
All of the major polls now show Gingrich in the lead. The latest, issued today, gives Gingrich a 15-point lead over Mitt Romney.
Polls across the state will close at 7 p.m. Eastern.
For continual live reports as the precinct returns come in, consult the updates posted below.
Update 1: Fox News has declared Newt Gingrich the winner of the SC Republican Primary based upon projected results. No votes have been officially reported thus far.
UPDATE 2: Less than 1% of the votes have been reported. Among the votes counted and reported, Romney leads Gingrich thus far. But so far ZERO percent of the precincts are reporting.
UPDATE 3: With 2% of the precincts reporting, Gingrich leads Romney 36% to 34%. Santorum is 3rd at 15%, and Paul is last with 11%.
UPDATE 4: As the votes come in and are reported, a trend is developing showing that Gingrich is pulling ahead as Romney falls behind. The counties where Gingrich is strongest have not yet been fully counted. This leads to the conclusion that the margin of Newt's victory over Romney may be significant.
UPDATE 5: Romney speaks to his supporters in Columbia, congratulating Newt Gingrich on his win. Thus, despite the endorsement of Tea Party favorite, Governor Nikki Haley, Romney could not manage a victory in this state. In addition, the assumption that Romney would 'wrap up the nomination in Florida' is now but a dream gone with the wind.
UPDATE 6: With 10% of precincts reporting, Newt now has a double-digit lead over Mitt Romney.
UPDATE 7: With nearly half of the precincts reporting, Newt Gingrich is maintaining his double-digit lead over Mitt Romney. Gingrich--40%, Romney--27%, Santorum--18%, Paul--13%.
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