Don't Hold Your Breath for Nevada Caucus Results

The caucus is underway
By Michael Harthorne,  Newser Staff
Posted Feb 23, 2016 8:15 PM CST
Don't Hold Your Breath for Results From Nevada GOP Caucus
Donald Trump, rallying Tuesday in Reno, is polling ahead of his opponents, but anything can happen in Nevada's "peculiar" caucus.   (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

The Nevada Republican caucus is underway, but don't hold your breath for results. Politico's Jon Ralston tweets they're hoping to have results before 11pm PT but may not be able to declare a winner until Wednesday afternoon. During the 2012 caucus, it took the state days to count just 33,000 ballots, the Wall Street Journal reports. Experts are predicting 40,000 to 60,000 caucus-goers on Tuesday. The Journal claims it could be a "logistical nightmare," and the International Business Times is already reporting "apparent chaos" at caucusing sites, with confusing ballots, people voting multiple times, and more. Voting in some counties will be allowed until 9pm PT.

For an example of why it could take so long to get results on Tuesday, look at Clark County, which includes populous Las Vegas. Volunteers will tally the votes, write the number down, then text a photo of that number to Clark County Republican chairman Ed Williams. "The official number will be whatever is photographed," Williams tells the Journal. The Atlantic reports polling shows Donald Trump with a lead heading into the caucus. But the Washington Post points out the Nevada caucus is "peculiar and unpredictable," especially when it comes to polling. The paper believes both Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz have a chance at pulling an upset. (More Election 2016 stories.)

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