2016美国大选 纽约成政治战场

Despite its size and international reputation, New York is usually a bit-player in US Presidential elections. Not this time. The race to secure the nomination for both Democrats and Republicans is so tight, the candidates need to win their primaries in the Big Apple badly. And that's put it right in the limelight for Tuesday's contest.

New York is in a party mood. Normally, by the time the New York primary comes around the parties' candidates for President have already been chosen.

Not this time and there is a real excitement in the air.

It's not often you get lines like this for a political rally in a primary, but all these supporters know that their vote actually matters this time that they will actually have a true voice on who the nominee for their party will be.

"I tell people everyday I know, this time, you have to go, your vote counts more than ever its historical you I know," said Malu Ribeiro, New York voter.

"I know right, usually New York happens so late that it doesn't matter. So it's really exciting," another voter Justine Medina said.

New York is a big state with a lot of votes and delegates at stake. While whoever wins here on Tuesday won't lock up the US presidential nomination, candidates who lose will find it much harder to be seen as viable contenders.

For New York supporters of democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, doing well in this state will mean slowing down former New York Senator and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

On the Republican side a big win for native New Yorker Donald Trump could mean he wins all the delegates from this state - the stakes could not be higher.

So there is a feeling here in the air in New York that their votes matter. In the words of the famous song: 'If you can make it here you can make it anywhere. It's up to you New York, New York!