Germans are voting in a regional election that is seen as a test for Chancellor Angela Merkel, eight months before nationwide legislative elections.

Polls opened Sunday in the northern state of Lower Saxony, which is governed by state premier David McAllister of Ms. Merkel's center-right alliance.

Analysts say the race has narrowed to a virtual tie with the center-left Social Democrat-Greens opposition.

The election is the last test before September, when polls for Bavaria will take place followed by national elections, which will determine whether Ms. Merkel will win a third term.