Thanks to a move by Alabama Governor Bob Riley, and approval by the Legislature, voters across Alabama will make their choices for presidential nominees Tuesday, Feb. 5.

Act 2006-634 moved the state's presidential primary from the first Tuesday in June to the first Tuesday in February. Act 2007-461 makes accommodations for counties where Mardi Gras is a holiday in years when the new presidential primary election date coincides with Fat Tuesday.

Currently, only Mobile and Baldwin counties recognize Mardi Gras as an official holiday. Voters can cast their votes there today.

Locally, the last day to register to vote in Tuesday's primary was Friday, Jan. 25. Registered voters have until the end of the day today (Thursday) to file absentee ballots.

While Washington County is made up of predominantly Democrat and Independent voters, Clarke County has a larger split, with many voters registered as Republicans. Alabama has a no crossover rule, so voters must choose which primary they wish to participate in.

This year's presidential campaign, thus far, has been an interesting one to say the least. Senators Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are in a dead heat. Obama kicked off this year's primary battle with a win in Iowa, but Clinton rebounded by taking New Hampshire.

Obama had a strong showing in South Carolina, where he took 55 percent of the vote. But Clinton managed to grab 50 percent of the vote Tuesday in Florida to defeat the junior senator there.

Sen. John Edwards has not managed to gain the momentum he had hoped to, remaining a distant third in most primaries.

On the GOP side, Arizona Sen. John McCain has breathed new life into what looked like a faltering campaign, with wins in New Hampshire, South Carolina and now Florida.

Mike Huckabee, a Baptist minister, surprised many with his win in Iowa, while former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has been nipping at the heals of McCain. However, since Iowa, Huckabee has not been as strong.

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has not garnered the support he hoped for. Wednesday, according to national media outlets, he indicated he would likely bow out and support Sen. McCain. Not yet leaving the race is former Libertarian Ron Paul, who seems to have moderate support in Southwest Alabama.

Actor Fred Thompson, of Tennessee, ended his campaign after the South Carolina contest. Voters will still see his name on Tuesday's ballots for the purpose of electing delegates to the national convention.