Although Nevada’s Democrats caucused on Saturday, the Republicans in the state have had to wait until today.
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The state is the first substantial test of candidates’ support with Hispanic voters.
Nevada is now a frequent stop for candidates in both parties, though it doesn’t draw almost the amount of campaign traffic seen in Iowa and New Hampshire. Nevada’s delegation pitched the state as a reflection of the country’s changing population and it sure didn’t hurt that Harry Reid, the highest-ranking Democratic senator, lobbied for his home state.
After a raucous 2008 presidential primary calendar that saw new voters show up by the millions, Democrats are suffering from diminished turnout in 2016, especially compared to the dramatic increases now being enjoyed by Republicans. Three declared for Hillary Clinton, one for Bernie Sanders and four haven’t said.
On the Republican side, seven in 10 Republican caucus-goers identified themselves as Republicans, while a quarter said they were Independents in the 2012 SC primary.
The entrance poll suggests that many Trump supporters have been chomping at the bit to make their mark in Tuesday’s caucuses.
GOP voters in Nevada are apparently furious with Washington.
A spectre is haunting the Democrats – the spectre of low voter turnout.
Unlike in Iowa, caucuses are not a part of the political fabric of Nevada and political operatives must educate voters on how to participate.
Nearly 70% of Nevada Republican caucus attendees said they made up their mind more than a week ago, while roughly 30% said they decided who to pick in the last week.
We may not be in Iowa anymore, but it might feel like it for some Republicans.
Early polling also found a far less fluid race for Republicans heading into the caucuses Tuesday night than in previous contests.
But just wait until Nevada – where a whopping 49 percent of caucus-goers in 2012 said they were “very conservative”.
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And about 6 in 10 voters say they are looking for someone from outside the political establishment, more than said so in any of the first three contests.
