Arnold Schwarzenegger forced to recast ballot

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the governor of California, was forced to recast his ballot after selecting two Senate candidates.

Poll worker Keta Hodgson said a scanning machine rejected Mr Schwarzenegger's first ballot on Tuesday because he selected two candidates instead of one.

Miss Hodgson said the Republican governor was given the choice of filling out a new ballot or not having his Senate choice count. He cast a fresh ballot.

Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina is the front-runner on the Republican Party's ticket for US Senate, which also includes former Congressman Tom Campbell and state Assemblyman Chuck DeVore.

California's Republican primary also will pick candidates to succeed Mr Schwarzenegger. Republican billionaire Meg Whitman, a former eBay chief executive who has spent more than $70 million of her own fortune, faced state insurance commissioner Steve Poizner, a wealthy former businessman. Attorney General Jerry Brown, a former governor, is the likely Democratic nominee.

California's primary campaign is already the most expensive in state history, with billionaire Ms Whitman pumping in $ 68 million of her personal fortune into her election bid to date.

If Ms Whitman wins, she will be the first woman nominated for governor by the California Republican Party. California has never elected a woman governor.