Why New Hampshire is more important than ever to the Democrats

As we build up to Super Tuesday, Chris Stevenson looks at the runners and riders in the latest primary

The Democratic presidential hopefuls during a debate in Des Moines, Iowa (AFP/Getty)

In the wake of the failures of the Iowa caucuses, New Hampshire has taken on more importance for the Democratic race to pick a presidential candidate.

The candidates may only be fighting it out for 24 delegates – of the 4,000 or so on offer during the primary process and about 1 per cent of the number a candidate needs to take the nomination – but we are now back to a traditional secret ballot system that most states deploy.

Clarity is the aim of the game in New Hampshire when voters make their choice on 11 February. The Democratic Party need a result that comes in on time and without fuss, while a number of the candidates need to get a handle on their position in the race.