City & State  Low turnout expected in R.I. primary  Contributing
Writer  In one week, Rhode Islanders will select presidential
candidates on their respective party ballots, though voter
turnout in the primary is expected to be low.   The Rhode Island
presidential primary will take place Tuesday, April 24 in
various polling locations across the state.  In the Republican
primary, voters will choose between Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich,
Ron Paul, Rick Santorum and Buddy Roemer. President Obama is the
only candidate listed on the Democrat primary ballot. On both
parties’ ballots, voters can designate themselves uncommitted or
write in their own candidate.  Since Rick Santorum announced the
suspension of his presidential campaign April 10, Mitt Romney
has been the undisputed favorite to win the Republican
nomination, though Gingrich and Paul also remain in the national
race. The state’s voters are not likely to influence the
direction of the race.  Despite the seemingly decided nature of
the Republican race, primari