Tuesday’s Republican caucuses in Nevada attracted the greatest number of voters since the state switched to a caucus system in 2008, according to the Nevada Republican Party.
“With record turnout levels, more than 75,000 voters participated in the ‘first in the West’ caucus to help choose a future Republican nominee for president of the United States,” party officials reported early Wednesday morning. That turnout is more than double the estimated 33,000 voters who participated in the 2012 Republican caucuses and 40 percent higher than turnout levels in 2008.
Shortly before voting began Tuesday, veteran Nevada journalist John Ralston reported that 37,000 voters had preregistered for the caucuses, which was 3,000 more than the overall number of voters who participated in the 2012 nominating contest.
Nevada is now the fourth state this election cycle to beat previous records on voter turnout. Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina all attracted a greater number of voters this year than in previous presidential elections.
Tuesday’s caucuses, however, were rife with allegations of precinct captains miscounting voters, failing to confirm whether voters were registered and showing strong candidate preference by wearing stickers and apparel in favor of certain candidates. Party officials said the latter did not violate Nevada election laws and assured reporters covering the chaotic caucus locations that volunteers were handling their responsibilities appropriately.
Nevada’s caucuses also suggest Republican voters are far more enthusiastic about this election than their Democratic counterparts. While GOP voter turnout shattered records, last Saturday’s Democratic caucuses in Nevada drew 33 percent fewer voters than in 2008. Around 80,000 Democrats showed up to participate in the caucuses, compared to 118,000 in 2008, when former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton beat then-Sen. Barack Obama.
