Q: What's at stake in Ohio's primary Tuesday?

A: Ohio is a frequent swing state in presidential elections, but this could be the first primary in years that Buckeye State voters have a real influence in the nominating process — at least for the Democrats.

Six recent polls have Republican nominee-to-be Sen. John McCain's lead ranging from 51 to 59 percent, with former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee's share of the vote ranging from 28 to 40 percent.

It's a dramatically different story for Democrats. Like in Texas's same-day voting, a loss by Sen. Hillary Clinton could virtually end her chances. But wins in both states could put her back in the running with Sen. Barack Obama for the nomination.

Q: What do those polls say about Clinton and Obama?

A: Obama apparently is closing a once-wide gap between him and the former first lady. The same six polls peg the Illinois senator's support at between 38 and 44 percent. Pollsters seem to be more confident of Clinton's backing, giving her a range of between 46 and 50 percent. A Fox News poll said Clinton leads in Ohio among women, whites, less educated and lower earning people, and people over age 45. Obama is ahead with blacks, though by a bit less than the eight in 10 support he is used to from that group. The two are even among men, people under 45 and the college educated — groups with whom Obama has been winning in previous contests.

Q: Who's backing whom?

A: Clinton has the support of Ohio's governor. Also in her corner is former astronaut and retired Sen. John Glenn, who holds a hero-like status among Ohioans, similar to the worship reserved for Rep. John Lewis around Atlanta.

The economy looms at or near the top of Ohioans' concerns, and Obama has gained some recent union endorsements, which could prove crucial in a once-mighty manufacturing state. And it may be worthwhile to note that Clinton's husband won Ohio in both the 1992 and 1996 general elections.

Q: How did Ohio vote in the 2004 general election for president?

A: After Sen. John Kerry won big in the state's Democratic primary, and was forecast in several polls to win in the general election, President Bush was the victor, 50.8 percent to 48.7 percent.

Q: So what? Bush isn't running again.

A: Whether valid or not, suspicions that voting irregularities let Bush steal Ohio - and, thus, the White House - remain strong among some Buckeye Democrats. Two years later, that bitterness, combined with a state Republican Party and its outgoing governor dogged by scandal, helped the Democrats regain Ohio's governor's mansion.

Now, another two years later, throw into the mix Ohio's desperate economic condition as well as this political season's bipartisan watchword: "change." The result may be that the Buckeye State very well could again swing Democrat when November rolls around, whether Obama or Clinton win Tuesday's Ohio primary.

Q: How do Ohio's Democrats and Republicans differ in their primary process?

A: Democratic candidates will be allotted delegates proportionally, with 15 percent of the vote needed to win a share of statewide or district delegates. For Republicans, it's winner take all, with the statewide winner getting all the at-large legates, and district delegates going to the winner of that district.

OHIO QUICK FACTS

-Population: 11,478,006 (2006)

-Voting age population: 8,705,230 (2006)

-65% of the voting age population cast a ballot in the 2004 presidential general election

-White persons, 84%; Black persons, 11.8%; Hispanic origin, 2.3%

-Median household income: $44,532 (2006)

-State ranks first in U.S. in total sales and receipts of plastic and rubber products manufacturing, and No. 1 in sales and receipts per capita in fabricated metal products manufacturing.