Will former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney’s lead in Maryland turn into a win in Tuesday’s GOP presidential primary?

Romney has a 17-point advantage over former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum in Maryland, according to a poll conducted by Rasmussen Reports on Wednesday. It showed Romney is supported by 45 percent of Maryland Republicans, Santorum by 28 percent, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich by 12 percent and Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) by 7 percent.

Although officials aren’t predicting a high turnout in Maryland on Tuesday, it is expected to be an important day in the presidential race, when the “moderate middle of the Maryland GOP will be relevant,” according to The Washington Post.

The Republican primary has become a race to the magic number of 1,144 delegates that would give a candidate the nomination. Romney has the lead with 558 delegates. Santorum is next with 273. Gingrich has 133 and Paul has 50.

Maryland’s delegates are allocated through a combination of a winner-take-all system and a proportion distribution. The primary is also closed, meaning only registered Republicans can vote.

Maryland election officials said last week that turnout Tuesday would likely be low, as the number of Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 2 to 1 margin.

Wisconsin and the District of Columbia are also holding primary contests this week.

Santorum has not visited Maryland, but the state has attracted attention from other presidential candidates.

Romney stopped in Arbutus, and Paul visited the University of Maryland.

Gingrich was in Annapolis last week and at Salisbury University last month.

The poll closes at 8 p.m. Tuesday. Check back later to see results and how other Patch sites in Anne Arundel County voted.

Capital News Service reporter Madeleine Marshall contributed to this article.