More than 61-percent of Missouri’s precincts have reported in, and there is less than a percentage point’s difference between Donald Trump and Texas senator Ted Cruz in the Republican race. Trump has 42.198-percent of the ballots cast, Cruz has 41.607-percent. The next closest vote-getter among Republicans, Ohio Governor John Kasich, has more than 8-percent of the vote.
Texas senator Ted Cruz and Donald Trump (photos courtesy of their respective campaigns)
Trump has already had a big day, winning Illinois, Florida, and North Carolina.
On the Democratic side, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ lead over Hillary Clinton has grown to more than seven-percent. Sanders has 53.076-percent of the votes; Clinton, 45.519-percent.
Many ballots in urban precincts remain to be counted, so there could be some significant changes in the lead before the races are called.
There are 71 Democratic delegates at stake that will be awarded proportionally. 47 will be divided based on how well each candidate does in each of Missouri’s eight congressional districts. The remainder will be divided based on their statewide vote. Anyone who receives at least 15-percent of the vote will qualify to receive delegates.
Missouri has 52 Republican delegates. If one candidate gets a majority of Missouri’s Republican vote he would get all 52 delegates. Otherwise, 12 would go to the candidate with the most votes and 5 for every congressional district a candidate wins.