Even before the noon caucus time, Mesquite City Hall Council Chamber was bursting at the seams as over 500 new and returning democrats showed up to help their candidate take the Nevada Caucus for 2016. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.
According to the Virgin Valley Democratic Club (VVDC), the last caucus held in Mesquite in 2008 yielded only 150 participants. Based on that, they planned early to hold the 2016 Caucus at City Hall thinking they would have enough room. They were sorely mistaken as 531 voting democrats showed up and flooded the building.
Parking was scarce, as city hall, side streets and nearby business plazas filled with cars. That was just the first issue. The second was waiting in a line that often wrapped down the west side of city hall’s sidewalks.
Participants eventually made their way upstairs were divided into their respective precincts. Even with the help of the adjoining training room caucus goers overflowed into the hallway.
“We thought City Hall was big enough and that we’d be able to handle it. This is a great problem to have,” said VVDC President John Williams.
The purpose of the caucus confused many, especially those who had never been to one before. In their minds, it was supposed to be like a primary election. Several attendees had shown up to try and get some good results for Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT). Two business owners, who asked to remain nameless, stated that they hoped Sanders would win the vote, but ultimately want a democrat in the presidential office. It wasn’t their first caucus and it likely won’t be their last.
Their efforts didn’t come through, however, as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton took Nevada by storm even though Sanders won much of northern Nevada.
With Mesquite’s seven precincts and Bunkerville’s one, Clinton obtained 34 delegates to Sanders’ 18.
Similar results were seen in the Moapa Valley area as Clinton won 10 delegates to Sanders’ seven in six precincts. The only precinct that Sanders took was 2727 in Moapa Township by one delegate.
Statewide, Clinton took the majority of delegates winning 55 percent over Sanders’ 46 percent.
The caucus results are based on reports gathered at www.nvcaucuses.com.
this was my first caucus that I have attended, and my last, The lines were unreal, bu the worst part was being in my precinct, and they did not use microphones, instead they tried to speak over all the people. they had microphones, but chose not to use them. It took way too long, and the event was just awful. I have voted every election since my first vote for John Kennedy, but no more of this, we need to have a primary where you go in and push a button on a commputer and out.
It was a mess, I agree, But I will not let a line deter me from voting, I was at the 2008 caucus, my first, and was surprised at the number people this year. I can only hope we have problems like this every time. I hope that it will be better planed the next time. But if an extra 30 to 60 minutes will keep people from voting, democracy may be in trouble.