While U.S. citizens were glued to TV sets and online news sites to see who would win their country's primary elections, a group of Democrats in Costa Rica released results of a vote it carried out here on Super Tuesday.

Of the Democrats Abroad members who voted at Holiday Inn in San José, 30 chose Illinois Sen. Barack Obama and 18 went with New York Sen. Hillary Clinton. One voter picked former South Carolina Sen. John Edwards, who has dropped out of the race.

It was the first time the party held primary voting for its members worldwide, organizers said, tugging U.S. expats along for the ride of the roller coaster that has been the Democratic race for a presidential nomination.

Paul Kloes, the chairman of Democrats Abroad of Costa Rica, said voting was steady but not overwhelming.

“All votes will count,” he said. “Democrats Abroad International has the same status as a state in the Democratic Party.”

Ballots were not kept secret and participants were required to join Democrats Abroad.

Whereas expats have long been able to vote in the general election by absentee ballot, on Tuesday Democrats living overseas voted online or by walking into sites around the world to choose their favorite candidate to lead the party in the Nov. 4 presidential election.

Figures for overall voter participation outside the United States were not available, but inside the country CNN reported massive Democratic turnout, with states such as Arizona breaking records.

Political analysts late Wednesday were still debating which of the two Democratic candidates led the race. Some put Clinton ahead, with her big California win, while others said Obama was taking more states and more delegates. Others called it a tie.

-Tico Times