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Election live: Sanders nips at Clinton's heels in Nevada as caucuses begin
Election live: Sanders nips at Clinton's heels in Nevada as caucuses begin
(35 minutes later)
9.17pm GMT
21:17
Results are starting to dribble in
With 13.5% of precincts reporting, Bernie Sanders is the merest whisker ahead of Hillary Clinton, on 50.31% to Clinton’s 49.37%.
But there’s still a long way to go yet.
Updated
at 9.18pm GMT
9.07pm GMT
21:07
Some glimmers of good news for Hillary, though, if this from PBS’s Jon Ralston is true:
I'm told Hillary has won all six at-large (casino) sites. Thanks, Harry.
Perhaps the Will Ferrell endorsement helped?
9.06pm GMT
21:06
Hillary Clinton wins in Caesars Palace.
She won in one round; 190-81, Maria La Ganga reports.
Here’s the scene:
Again, it’s worth noting that this may not be a representative caucus. Proceed with caution.
Updated
at 9.07pm GMT
9.02pm GMT
21:02
Caucusing at Caesars Palace! Footage just in from Maria shows the caucus-goers breaking into their groups:
“Hillary group boisterous,” Maria reports.
Meanwhile, Chris McGreal reports that Hillary Clinton won where he is on the first round:
In one classroom the first round of voting was overwhelmingly for Clinton - 24 to 3. That meant Sanders did not have enough votes for it to go to a second round.
Again, do bear in mind that these are just individual results at individual caucus sites. We won’t have a clear sense of who the victor will be for a little while yet.
8.56pm GMT
20:56
Hillary Clinton looks set to win the caucus at Caesars Palace, Maria La Ganga reports. She says we’ll “know in a few.”
Chris McGreal, too, reporting that, at his precinct, Clinton seems set to win as well.
Democratic caucus in one classroom at Las Vegas middle school, initial vote overwhelmingly for Clinton 24 to 3
It’s worth noting that one shouldn’t read too much into these two precincts just yet, though.
Updated
at 9.02pm GMT
8.52pm GMT
20:52
NBC News has conducted an “exit poll” - by which they presumably mean entrance poll, since caucusing is still going on right now – which finds that Sanders leads Clinton by an astonishing 83% to 13% among young voters.
Meanwhile, Clinton leads Sanders by an almost equally commanding distance - 68% to 29% - among the over-65s.
Sanders leads among self-described “liberals” while Clinton leads among self-described “moderates.”
Clinton leads among veteran caucus-goers; while first-time caucus-goers lean Bernie.
There’s a lot to go into, and you can read the full results here.
Updated
at 9.19pm GMT
8.47pm GMT
20:47
Also worth noting, via Chris McGreal, that senator Harry Reid’s sunglasses game is, as always, entirely on fleek:
Sen Harry Reid at Nevada caucus. Tells @guardian going to vote "uncommitted" so candidates know "I’ve been fair" pic.twitter.com/1rHleFWSDh
8.39pm GMT
8.39pm GMT
20:39
20:39
Maria L La Ganga
We’ve just put up this gallery of pictures from the Nevada caucuses – worth checking out.
An interesting tidbit from Maria, at Caesar’s Palace:
Updated
It really pays to know who you’re going to vote for. Paul Smith, the temporary caucus chair, as the Caeser’s caucus was about to begin: “I know at some point nature will call. If you have a presidential preference card, you can go to the bathroom.”
at 8.51pm GMT
“If you don’t, you will need to be escorted.”
8.37pm GMT
8.37pm GMT
20:37
20:37
Chris McGreal
Chris McGreal
There are 10 precincts voting at Del Webb middle school in Henderson, southeast Las Vegas, reports Chris McGreal.
There are 10 precincts voting at Del Webb middle school in Henderson, southeast Las Vegas, reports Chris McGreal.
That is several hundred people divided between the cafeteria, gym and several classrooms. But the process of registration has been so slow, with long lines in the sun, that the start of the caucus has been delayed by about an hour.
That is several hundred people divided between the cafeteria, gym and several classrooms. But the process of registration has been so slow, with long lines in the sun, that the start of the caucus has been delayed by about an hour.
8.33pm GMT
8.33pm GMT
20:33
20:33
This, from Sam, is the crowd at the University of Nevada caucus site in Reno.
This, from Sam, is the crowd at the University of Nevada caucus site in Reno.
He has also tracked down one of Hillary’s few supporters there: Nancy Teutle, 21, a student studying pre-law.
He has also tracked down one of Hillary’s few supporters there: Nancy Teutle, 21, a student studying pre-law.
Nancy Teutle, one of only Hillary fans: "She honestly inspired me to pursue my dream of being an immigration lawyer" pic.twitter.com/NYfGusKIK1
Nancy Teutle, one of only Hillary fans: "She honestly inspired me to pursue my dream of being an immigration lawyer" pic.twitter.com/NYfGusKIK1
She just fights for everything I believe in - equal pay, immigration reform. She honestly inspired me to pursue my dream of being an immigration lawyer. She’s come so far in life and she’s fought so much, for children’s rights, for families.
She just fights for everything I believe in - equal pay, immigration reform. She honestly inspired me to pursue my dream of being an immigration lawyer. She’s come so far in life and she’s fought so much, for children’s rights, for families.
I’m not surprised there are so many [Sanders’ supporters] here. It’s a college campus and he’s going to get a lot of college supporters.
I’m not surprised there are so many [Sanders’ supporters] here. It’s a college campus and he’s going to get a lot of college supporters.
She’s doing her best to reach younger voters, but Bernie mentioned free tuition and I think it’s kind of a grasp. Hillary is saying she can lower costs and I think it’s more reasonable ... She has supporters in the senate and can actually make things happen.””I have a goddaughter - and for her to be able to grow up and see that a woman, a female, is president, that is going to change her life.
She’s doing her best to reach younger voters, but Bernie mentioned free tuition and I think it’s kind of a grasp. Hillary is saying she can lower costs and I think it’s more reasonable ... She has supporters in the senate and can actually make things happen. I have a goddaughter – and for her to be able to grow up and see that a woman, a female, is president, that is going to change her life.
Updated
at 8.53pm GMT
8.31pm GMT
8.31pm GMT
20:31
20:31
In dribs and drabs, caucusing begins in Nevada
In dribs and drabs, caucusing begins in Nevada
...though long lines at various precincts mean that many are still waiting.
...though long lines at various precincts mean that many are still waiting.
Yvanna Cancela, the political director of the hugely influential Culinary Worker’s union 226, is also at Caesar’s Palace.
Yvanna Cancela, the political director of the hugely influential Culinary Worker’s union 226, is also at Caesar’s Palace.
And so it begins! #NVDemsCaucus pic.twitter.com/j4lvIAyXSp
And so it begins! #NVDemsCaucus pic.twitter.com/j4lvIAyXSp
She is tweeting that management have told workers not to worry about being back at work on time if the process runs over:
She is tweeting that management have told workers not to worry about being back at work on time if the process runs over:
"This is an important process" - Caesars mgr as he tells workers they don't have to worry about being late back to work. #NVDemsCaucus
"This is an important process" - Caesars mgr as he tells workers they don't have to worry about being late back to work. #NVDemsCaucus
8.25pm GMT
20:25
A quick word about tie-breakers.
In Iowa, six precincts were tied between Hillary and Bernie, and needed to be resolved by the flip of a coin (all of which Hillary won, a statistical improbability of fascinating proportions).
In Nevada - fittingly - a tie is not broken by the flip of a coin; instead, it is done by cutting a deck of cards; high card wins.
For those not familiar with the order, the highest suit is Spades followed by Hearts, then Diamonds, then Clubs.
Which means, if it’s as close as the polls are predicting, the Nevada results could come down to this:
8.21pm GMT
20:21
The situation appears to be deteriorating even further at Caesar’s Palace.
Shitshow is the foremost word that comes to mind to describe this caucus event at Caesar's Palace in Vegas
Caucus-goers are beginning to file into the room, reports Maria:
But the delays, caused by the duelling supporters outside, could be problematic. Casino workers, many of whom are on their break from work, might have difficulty staying to the end if the caucus overruns. If they don’t stay to the end, their vote doesn’t count.
8.15pm GMT
20:15
Maria L La Ganga
Signs that you are not in a normal city on caucus day:
In reality, however, caucus-goers at the Caesars Palace precinct on the Las Vegas strip are more likely to have swabbed toilets, made beds and fried eggs for strangers before standing up for a candidate they hope might make their lives better.
Saturday morning, the hallway into the Caesars ballroom precinct was choked with working men and women in bright white chef jackets and the somber uniforms of hotel housekeepers.
They shouted “Feel the Bern!” And “Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!” They waved red white and blue posters. They carried box lunches. They were on their way to work or heading home at the end of a shift.
Rhett Barham, a dealer at the Caesars casino, was ready to cast her lot with the Bernie Sanders, the firebrand senator from Vermont.
“I’m a dreamer and I believe in his dream,” she said as she signed in. “I like his concepts of trying to make everything better. Some kids drop out of school. How many people want to be a doctor and can’t afford it?
“We pay for people to be in jail for drugs,” Barham, who lives in Henderson, continued, “instead of us helping them and rehabilitating them. That’s not solving the problem.”Gripping an American flag and a “Women for Hillary” sign, Morena De Cid smiled broadly as she waited behind the velvet ropes to caucus. She had a blue Hillary Clinton sticker on her brown housekeeper’s uniform. She has lived in Las Vegas for 35 years and cleans the casino at Bellagio.
“It’s time for a change,” De Cid said. “Like Germany, Brazil, Margaret Thatcher. [Clinton] knows what she’s doing. She’s a very smart lady. We need her for education, immigration, health care, and, you know, social security. We need to have it for longer.”
Updated
at 8.36pm GMT
8.10pm GMT
20:10
And meanwhile, up in Reno, Sam Levin has spoken to young voters waiting to caucus - most are students at the University of Nevada, and most are strongly for Sanders.
Crowd at University of Nevada Reno for democratic caucus - overwhelmingly young and overwhelmingly for Sanders pic.twitter.com/izjoINRlBY
Chenay Arberry, 23, Reno resident, recent graduate, black and Vietnamese, does outreach work for the Sanders campaign, voting for Sanders: “I would love to see a lot more discussions around Native American awareness. They are a minority that is very often ignored ... There are a lot of tribes that need support.” Robin Rowell, 20, student in Reno studying microbiology, Asian and white, voting for Sanders: “I really want to hear specifics on the women’s rights movement. I want to hear real plans on wage inequality. I want to hear how we will really determine what the differences are and see a rise in pay for women. I feel like it’s something that should be disclosed and discussed upfront in jobs – who is making what and why are women making less money for the same work?” Idalis Figueroa, 18, Reno student from Las Vegas, studying political science, Mexican, voting for Clinton. One of the only visible Clinton supporters here: “I’m voting for Hillary because she is the first woman to step up. I think women and family values are so important to her and she’s fought for them her whole life. I really care about immigration and I want to hear specifics about reform. I want to hear about reforms that are realistic – not Trump talking about building a wall.” Jibrael Bushongo, 18, student, African American, voting for Bernie, in the military – national guard. “I want to hear about repurposing the budget ... and defunding the military. Yes, I’m in the military, but I think it can be defunded. ... Funding needs to go to education, social security. I think there are places in the budget where that money could be better spent – science, technology, health care, education are all important.”
Young Nevada Bernie supporters say Hillary is inauthentic and untrustworthy, can't forgive her for anti-gay views. pic.twitter.com/7v205JOPAp
Updated
at 8.38pm GMT
8.07pm GMT
20:07
Delays already at the caucus where Chris McGreal is reporting:
Nevada Democratic caucus at Webb Middle School, where Senator Harry Reid voting, delayed by about an hour because of long lines to register
Clinton voter Darlene Gerson not sounding too upbeat on prospects of winning Nevada: "I hope so is all I'll say". pic.twitter.com/50MWQJ9LcE
8.02pm GMT
20:02
And more from the tumultuous lobby of Caesar’s Palace, where Maria La Ganga is watching duelling groups of Clinton and Sanders supporters competing for who can shout the loudest:
Veni, Vidi, Clamaverunt.
Updated
at 8.04pm GMT
8.00pm GMT
20:00
Chris McGreal
More from Chris McGreal, at the Del Webb Middle School in Las Vegas, where Harry Reid is on the scene:
Chris asked him why he is voting “uncommitted.” His response:
Everyone knows the caucus set up in Nevada was my doing. I wanted to make sure both Clinton and Sanders know that I’ve been fair. If I got involved on one side or the other it would be easy for them to say that’s going to affect the contest unfairly. So this is the best way to do it.
However, Chris reports that Reid did say that he will endorse a candidate in due course – although he declined to say when.
Updated
at 8.40pm GMT
7.43pm GMT
19:43
Sam Levin files this report from Reno, where some Republicans are outraged at reports that GOP activists were encouraging Republican voters to register for the Democratic caucus on Saturday and participate in both parties’ elections. (The Nevada caucuses, for Republicans, are on Tuesday).
The University of Nevada Reno College Republicans recently pointed out a loophole allowing for same-day Democratic registration, meaning a GOP voter could technically caucus on Saturday and again on Tuesday for the Republican election.
“Asking individuals to participate in both is not a normal activity but it is also not illegal; nobody will get arrested,” Miranda Hoover, president of the student GOP group, said in a statement.
Don Dike-Anukam, a student who is a member of the university Republicans group, though is not currently active, said he was dismayed that anyone would even raise the idea. “It’s insulting to the American electorate and the height of mean-spirited, hyper-partisan BS,” he said. “This is why people have lost faith in politics.”
Dike-Anukam, who is also a member of the Washoe County Republican party central committee, said he hopes no GOP voters try to participate in both caucuses and said they should be held accountable if they do. “I hope if someone attempts to do it, they are prosecuted to the full extent of the law. We can’t go around talking about the integrity of the elections and then propose voter fraud.”
He also said he expects they would get caught. “I think the [district attorney] takes these kinds of things very seriously.”
Election officials have said they are aware of the reports and are monitoring the situation. Democratic leaders said that voting twice would be illegal and possibly constitute a felony.
Some Republican leaders have condemned the idea, too. “I believe that if we participate to intentionally affect the results of the Democratic nomination, then we are ultimately losing the very freedoms that caused many of our parents and grandparents to come to this country,” Adam Khan, chairman of the Washoe County Republican Party, said in an email to constituents.
Dike-Anukam said he worried the controversy would tarnish the reputation of the party. “This is why people don’t like politics,” he said, adding, “Most Republicans are decent people.”
7.43pm GMT
19:43
US editor Lee Glendinning filmed a this clip of the embattled Jeb! Bush speculating about his South Carolina prospects:
And this, of the former Florida governor discussing the dangers of Donald Trump:
Updated
at 8.40pm GMT
7.37pm GMT
19:37
Maria La Ganga is on-site at the glamorous Caesar’s Palace hotel and casino, where Sanders and Hillary supporters are beginning to file in to caucus:
The process does not appear to be entirely peaceful, as Clinton and Sanders supporters clash loudly in the lobby. Maria captured this footage:
