Live: Connecticut Republican Primary: Who Won?

The Connecticut Republican primaries look to be a foregone conclusion, with Mitt Romney likely to easily win the moderate Northeastern state. Not even Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas), who is no Romney’s closest rival, looks to make an impact in this contest.

Despite Rick Santorum suspending his campaign, he remains on the ballot.

The order of the Republican presidential candidates on the ballot is Newt Gingrich, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney and Santorum, followed by a ballot line for “uncommitted.”

Live Updates: 8:15 PM ROMNEY WINS, Paul second, Gingrich third. That was quick. Final count: Romney 67%, Paul 14%, Gingrich 10%.

Is Ron Paul's "Delegate Strategy" working?

8:10 PM With 1% of polling stations reporting, Romney leads Paul 61% to 17%. Gingrich in distant third with 11%.

4:20 PM Romney’s wife, Ann, visited the state on Monday, urging support for her husband and saying his message of fixing the economy and getting people back to work will resonate with the state’s voters. She was the keynote speaker at the Connecticut Republicans’ annual Prescott Bush Awards Dinner in Stamford.

A Quinnipiac University Poll released in March showed Romney winning 42% of the vote, followed by former Sen. Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania with 19%. 

11:15 AM Local Races Will Be Big? As PolicyMicer Andrew Crowe explains, “Our morning newspaper had a front page article about how the primary doesn't seem to be creating any excitement this year. The Republican presidential nomination is practically sealed — had it been a race, I think Romney would have done well in our area regardless given the demographics of the Republicans in Fairfield County.  I don't hear much talk about the primary election but do think the primary for our open Senate candidate will be interesting given the choice of a former (and popular) Representative from Fairfield County, Christopher Shays, and successful business woman, Linda McMahon, who tried to purchase the Senate seat two years ago.”

10:30 AM 17-Year-Olds Can Vote in Connecticut: PolicyMic pundit Miles Julius explains why this election will be a historic one for the state:

“Low turnouts are expected to plague the Connecticut GOP Presidential Preference Primary on Tuesday, with numbers ranging from 15% to 20%, according to the CT Secretary of State's office. House Republican leader Larry Cafero believes one reason for this low turnout is "because Romney is a shoo-in." Connecticut had their Primary date moved to April 24th this year, whereas in 2008 the date was February 5th. Many around the state, including Cafero, believe that the later primary date, coupled with Rick Santorum's recent departure from the race, are also to blame for Connecticut Republican voters lack of interest in this year’s contest.

"Some are questioning the state's $1 million price tag for a race whose outcome many perceive as being a foregone conclusion. Each of the state's 169 towns share the $1 million cost to host the voting.

"This primary marks the first time in Connecticut state history that 17-year-olds will be allowed to vote. An amendment to Connecticut's state constitution passed in 2008 allows voters who will turn 18 prior to November 6th to participate in the Republican Presidential Preference Primary on April 24th.

"Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.”

6:00 AM The polls opened at 6 a.m. for the 2012 Presidential Preference Primary and registered Republicans can cast a vote until 8 p.m.

There is no Democratic primary today since the only Democratic candidate who qualified for the Presidential Preference Primary ballot is President Barack Obama.