MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Associated Press declared Donald J. Trump the victor in Alabama’s Republican presidential primary, just moments after the polls closed Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. central time.
Reports from around the state indicated particularly high voter turnout, suggesting the billionaire real estate mogul may be driving new and infrequent voters to the polls in record numbers. The Trump campaign was also boosted over the weekend by an endorsement from popular conservative Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.).
“I told Donald Trump this isn’t a campaign,” Sessions told a massive crowd at a Trump campaign rally in north Alabama. “This is a movement.”
The question now is how Alabama’s 50 Republican delegates will be allocated among the candidates.
Only candidates who exceed 20% at the ballot box share in the delegate allocation.
For instance, if candidate A receives 40% of the popular vote, candidate B receives 20% of the vote, and no other candidate exceeds the 20% threshold, candidate A and candidate B will split the delegates, with candidate A receiving twice as many. No other candidates would receive a share of the delegates.
Alabama becomes “winner-take-all” if a candidate exceeds 50% of the vote statewide or in certain congressional districts.
With over 80% of precincts reporting, Trump stands at 44%, followed by Cruz (21%), Rubio (18%), Carson (10%) and Kasich (4%).
Alabama voters were asked in exit polls if they feel betrayed by Republican politicians: 57% yes, 39% no (h/t @jaketapper)
— Cliff Sims (@Cliff_Sims) March 2, 2016
This story will be updated throughout the night as more detailed numbers are made available.
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