NH primary order of finish still unclear

[January 14, 2012]  CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- Three days after New Hampshire's primary, former Speaker Newt Gingrich and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum are still separated by just a handful of votes behind the three leaders as vote verification continues.

The Associated Press election night count of all 301 precincts had Gingrich ahead of Santorum by 49 votes. The secretary of state's tally as of Friday had Santorum ahead by 117. But three New Hampshire town officials say the state has their numbers wrong. Changes in the state count for those three towns would drop Santorum's lead to 16 votes.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney won the GOP primary, with Texas Rep. Ron Paul second and former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman third. Fourth and fifth place probably won't be determined until the state finishes its certification.

[Associated Press]

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