The polls are open in Ohio and large turnouts are expected, especially via absentee, where the state is allowing state-wide absentee voting for the first time.

“Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner predicted as many as 4 million voters, 52 percent of Ohio’s registered voters, would cast their ballot with as many as one in five voting before Tuesday. This election was the first presidential primary election that didn’t require voters to give a reason for using absentee ballots” –Cleveland.Com

So we know the voters will turn out. Now all Sen. Hillary Clinton needs is a few votes sent her direction.

An interesting piece over at Talking Points Memo has a quote from the Ohio State Democratic Chair about what Hillary needs to pull off today to stay in the race.

“State Democratic Chairman Chris Redfern said Mrs. Clinton needs an 8-point victory margin in Ohio and Texas to remain in the race against Mr. Obama, who now has a lead of about 100 delegates and victories in the last 11 contests” –Talking Points Memo

The latest RCP average spreads on RealClearPolitics, for Ohio and Texas, between Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama, has Clinton up 7.1 percent over Obama in Ohio and just 1.7 percent in Texas. The day is obviously young, but those numbers aren’t exactly in her favor. More to come as the days primary’s shake out.