Rhode Island’s independent voters could sway Tuesday primary

By The Associated Press

news@abc6.com 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ The votes of hundreds of thousands of unaffiliated Rhode Island voters are up for grabs.        

Of the five states holding a primary Tuesday, it’s the only one where independent voters can select either the Democratic or Republican ballot.

Half of Rhode Island’s registered voters don’t belong to either party. Thirty-nine percent are Democrats. Ten percent are Republicans.

Most of the leading candidates campaigned in the state in recent days.

Pawtucket Registrar Ken McGill says he expects his city’s turnout to be nearly as high as the 35 percent who participated in the 2008 primary.

The state will have one-third fewer polls open than it does during a general election. Most open at 7 a.m., and all close at 8 p.m.

Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut and Delaware also are holding primaries Tuesday.

(C) The Associated Press 2016