Celebrating a ruling in Ohio allowing some 17-year-olds to cast ballots on condition they are eighteen come the November general election, Bernie Sanders was evincing new confidence that he can catch up with Hillary Clinton not just there but also in Illinois in primary elections on Tuesday.
The Sanders campaign enjoyed a fillip with its from-behind victory in Michigan a week ago, seen as evidence that he can beat Mrs Clinton in large industrial states in the Midwest. A new CBS poll showed him just ahead of the former first lady in Illinois, a state where he has previously trailed.
The campaign, which has drawn much of its support from youngvoters and college students, had filed suit in Ohio to overturn an order by the state’s Secretary of State, a Republican, that only those already 18 years of age could participate in the primaries.
A county judge found in favour of the Sanders request. If things turn out to be tight in Ohio, the change could give Mr Sanders a crucial edge.
By contrast, Mr Sanders had by the weekend given up all hope in Florida, which also votes on Tuesday. Polling there shows him losing to Ms Clinton by as much as thirty points.
