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Trump and Clinton win big in Arizona as Utah and Idaho caucus – election live Trump and Clinton win big in Arizona as Utah and Idaho caucus – election live
(35 minutes later)
5.32am GMT
05:32
Jason Wilson
The Idaho caucuses are finally winding down after a night of extraordinary turnout, according to Democratic leaders. Jason Wilson reports:
In Boise, people are starting to drift out of the caucus venue, having been told that if they don’t want to change their vote, it will remain as cast. Volunteers are still counting ballots, and no announcements have been made.
The large turnout has led to inevitable delays - in getting in, and getting ballots counted.
Some caucus-goers have been in queues and waiting in the venue for six hours or more. Not everyone can afford that on a Tuesday night.
Alissa Taysum, for one, had to wheel her toddler home in a stroller. But she wasn’t disappointed to leave before she knew the result.
“I’m actually really excited that this many people showed up, it’s exciting.” She was satisfied that her vote for Bernie Sanders would stick.
One voter, Lisa, said she had to support the candidate with the most experience: Hillary Clinton.
“I used to live inside the Beltway. My husband used to work inside the Beltway. She understands the big picture. I don’t think he does in the same way. She could come into office and be effective immediately, on day one.”
5.03am GMT
05:03
The Ted Cruz campaign is trying to remain optimistic in the face of what is shaping up to be a tough loss against Donald Trump in Arizona. Here’s Jeff Roe, Cruz campaign manager:
At the risk of going full Rove here, stay tuned to AZ. We will lose but not anywhere close to current margin and watch election day vote %.
So far, Cruz appears to be far behind Trump, though he may have some good news coming out of Utah shortly.
Late Tuesday evening, Cruz did receive the endorsement of the Club for Growth PAC, which has spent millions in ads to block Trump.
4.41am GMT4.41am GMT
04:4104:41
Jeb LundJeb Lund
As we wait for the Idaho and Utah results to come in, Jeb Lund is fascinated by the ways talking heads kill dead timeAs we wait for the Idaho and Utah results to come in, Jeb Lund is fascinated by the ways talking heads kill dead time
Here’s the fun thing about watching the 24-hour news analysts when they don’t have a result: you get to watch the same anxiety over major decisions that we go through for days get played out in high speed.Here’s the fun thing about watching the 24-hour news analysts when they don’t have a result: you get to watch the same anxiety over major decisions that we go through for days get played out in high speed.
What did we know before the polls closed? Trump wins Arizona, Cruz wins everything else, Clinton wins Arizona, the others are a tossup. Probably. But the more time there is to fill, the more second-guessing we can go through.What did we know before the polls closed? Trump wins Arizona, Cruz wins everything else, Clinton wins Arizona, the others are a tossup. Probably. But the more time there is to fill, the more second-guessing we can go through.
So we go through Trump’s negatives. Or we talk about the size of Sanders’ rallies and how eventually the word on him will get out to voters, despite the negative, chiding verbal gatekeeping of the mainstream media.So we go through Trump’s negatives. Or we talk about the size of Sanders’ rallies and how eventually the word on him will get out to voters, despite the negative, chiding verbal gatekeeping of the mainstream media.
4.13am GMT4.13am GMT
04:1304:13
Bernie Sanders ralliesBernie Sanders rallies
Meanwhile, appearing at a rally in San Diego, Bernie Sanders did not immediately mention the tough loss in Arizona, instead focusing on his expected wins in Utah and Idaho.“We have now won ten primaries and caucuses,” a hoarse-sounding Sanders told supporters. “And unless I’m mistaken we’re going to win a couple more tonight.”Meanwhile, appearing at a rally in San Diego, Bernie Sanders did not immediately mention the tough loss in Arizona, instead focusing on his expected wins in Utah and Idaho.“We have now won ten primaries and caucuses,” a hoarse-sounding Sanders told supporters. “And unless I’m mistaken we’re going to win a couple more tonight.”
Here’s a snapshot of the crowd:Here’s a snapshot of the crowd:
California or bust? Seven hours before @BernieSanders set to speak, hundreds (soon thousands?) line up in San Diego. pic.twitter.com/HzHxIelhDqCalifornia or bust? Seven hours before @BernieSanders set to speak, hundreds (soon thousands?) line up in San Diego. pic.twitter.com/HzHxIelhDq
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.13am GMTat 4.13am GMT
4.09am GMT4.09am GMT
04:0904:09
Hillary Clinton takes the stageHillary Clinton takes the stage
Hillary Clinton, in Washington, is taking swings at Donald Trump and Ted Cruz in her victory speech following a win in the Arizona primary:Hillary Clinton, in Washington, is taking swings at Donald Trump and Ted Cruz in her victory speech following a win in the Arizona primary:
“The last thing we need, my friends, are leaders who incite more fear. In the face of terror, America doesn’t panic. We don’t build walls or turn our backs on our allies. We can’t throw out everything we know about what works and what doesn’t and start torturing people. What Donald Trump and Ted Cruz and others are suggesting is not only wrong, it’s dangerous. It will not keep us safe. This is a time for America to lead, not cower, and we will lead...“The last thing we need, my friends, are leaders who incite more fear. In the face of terror, America doesn’t panic. We don’t build walls or turn our backs on our allies. We can’t throw out everything we know about what works and what doesn’t and start torturing people. What Donald Trump and Ted Cruz and others are suggesting is not only wrong, it’s dangerous. It will not keep us safe. This is a time for America to lead, not cower, and we will lead...
We have to dismantle the global terror pipeline. We have to strengthen our defenses here at home and we need to work closely with our allies ... This election really matters.We have to dismantle the global terror pipeline. We have to strengthen our defenses here at home and we need to work closely with our allies ... This election really matters.
We need to keep working together. We need to make a point that we’re going into the future with confidence and optimism.”We need to keep working together. We need to make a point that we’re going into the future with confidence and optimism.”
I am the most ready of everybody running to take that job.”I am the most ready of everybody running to take that job.”
3.39am GMT3.39am GMT
03:3903:39
Jeb LundJeb Lund
Jeb Lund reacts to the Hillary Clinton’s win and asks what else Democrats can expect tonightJeb Lund reacts to the Hillary Clinton’s win and asks what else Democrats can expect tonight
The big question of the night was the Arizona primary, where Sanders dropped $1.3m compared to Clinton’s $600,000, to try to combat her seemingly default advantage among minority voters.The big question of the night was the Arizona primary, where Sanders dropped $1.3m compared to Clinton’s $600,000, to try to combat her seemingly default advantage among minority voters.
That question has now been answered. So what about the rest of the night?That question has now been answered. So what about the rest of the night?
Bernie Sanders was leading Hillary Clinton in Utah according to the last poll, although those polls have flipped in the past. He could also be leading in Idaho. Those states could go either way without it being a surprise, in part because nobody seems to want to waste a lot of money on polling there.Bernie Sanders was leading Hillary Clinton in Utah according to the last poll, although those polls have flipped in the past. He could also be leading in Idaho. Those states could go either way without it being a surprise, in part because nobody seems to want to waste a lot of money on polling there.
Meanwhile, as was the case with the Republican contest, the road to the DNC seems certain. Hillary Clinton’s legacy and the Democratic Party machine’s support and the mainstream media’s reflexive dismissal of Bernie Sanders still makes her the prohibitive favorite, and the question is how he plans to use his public acclaim and apportioned delegates to influence the future of the Democratic Party.Meanwhile, as was the case with the Republican contest, the road to the DNC seems certain. Hillary Clinton’s legacy and the Democratic Party machine’s support and the mainstream media’s reflexive dismissal of Bernie Sanders still makes her the prohibitive favorite, and the question is how he plans to use his public acclaim and apportioned delegates to influence the future of the Democratic Party.
3.32am GMT3.32am GMT
03:3203:32
What the wins in Arizona mean for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump and their challengers hoping to gain traction in the race:What the wins in Arizona mean for Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump and their challengers hoping to gain traction in the race:
The Grand Canyon State is the largest purely winner-takes-all state left in the Republican calendar and is an important stepping stone, in particular, for Trump, who despite his frontrunner status faces a long, drawn-out slog to acquire the 1,237 delegates needed to become the GOP nominee.The Grand Canyon State is the largest purely winner-takes-all state left in the Republican calendar and is an important stepping stone, in particular, for Trump, who despite his frontrunner status faces a long, drawn-out slog to acquire the 1,237 delegates needed to become the GOP nominee.
The effort to block Trump from securing the Republican ticket rests on preventing him from meeting that necessary delegate threshold, a move that would force the billionaire to make the case for his presidency in a contested convention where party elites, many of whom who are hostile to his candidacy, could hold sway.The effort to block Trump from securing the Republican ticket rests on preventing him from meeting that necessary delegate threshold, a move that would force the billionaire to make the case for his presidency in a contested convention where party elites, many of whom who are hostile to his candidacy, could hold sway.
Arizona is less significant in the Democratic race, in which delegates are apportioned proportionately, and in which there are another seven states with larger tallies of delegates available before the party convention.Arizona is less significant in the Democratic race, in which delegates are apportioned proportionately, and in which there are another seven states with larger tallies of delegates available before the party convention.
Related: Trump and Clinton inch closer to nomination with wins in ArizonaRelated: Trump and Clinton inch closer to nomination with wins in Arizona
3.25am GMT3.25am GMT
03:2503:25
Clinton beats Sanders in ArizonaClinton beats Sanders in Arizona
The AP has also announced a Hillary Clinton win in the Arizona primary against Bernie Sanders:The AP has also announced a Hillary Clinton win in the Arizona primary against Bernie Sanders:
BREAKING: Hillary Clinton win Democratic primary in Arizona. @AP race call at 11:19 p.m. EDT. #Election2016 #APracecallBREAKING: Hillary Clinton win Democratic primary in Arizona. @AP race call at 11:19 p.m. EDT. #Election2016 #APracecall
The win offers a nice boost to the frontrunner and makes the ongoing races in Utah and Idaho all the more critical for Sanders.The win offers a nice boost to the frontrunner and makes the ongoing races in Utah and Idaho all the more critical for Sanders.
Thank you, Arizona! pic.twitter.com/jJ2G4MKiPKThank you, Arizona! pic.twitter.com/jJ2G4MKiPK
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.35am GMTat 3.35am GMT
3.21am GMT3.21am GMT
03:2103:21
Trump wins ArizonaTrump wins Arizona
Donald Trump beat Ted Cruz in the Arizona primary, the Associated Press has just reported:Donald Trump beat Ted Cruz in the Arizona primary, the Associated Press has just reported:
BREAKING: Donald Trump wins the Republican presidential primary in Arizona. @AP race call at 11:1 p.m. EDT. #Election2016 #APracecallBREAKING: Donald Trump wins the Republican presidential primary in Arizona. @AP race call at 11:1 p.m. EDT. #Election2016 #APracecall
It’s a tough loss for Cruz, though not a surprising one, and the win further cements Trump’s frontrunner status in the Republican race.It’s a tough loss for Cruz, though not a surprising one, and the win further cements Trump’s frontrunner status in the Republican race.
Arizona has 58 Republican delegates.Arizona has 58 Republican delegates.
3.16am GMT3.16am GMT
03:1603:16
Sam Levin reports on the GOP voters in Utah who really despise Donald Trump:Sam Levin reports on the GOP voters in Utah who really despise Donald Trump:
Brad Hansen, a 50-year-old Salt Lake City accountant, stood before a precinct of several dozen Republicans, expressing an anti-Trump sentiment that seems common among conservative Utahns here.Brad Hansen, a 50-year-old Salt Lake City accountant, stood before a precinct of several dozen Republicans, expressing an anti-Trump sentiment that seems common among conservative Utahns here.
“We oughta build a wall around Trump and make him pay for it,” he said, adding that he didn’t know too much about John Kasich, but that it seemed like the Ohio governor was the only reasonable choice.“We oughta build a wall around Trump and make him pay for it,” he said, adding that he didn’t know too much about John Kasich, but that it seemed like the Ohio governor was the only reasonable choice.
"We oughta build a wall around Trump and make him pay for it." - one GOP Utah voter supporting Kasich. pic.twitter.com/ioy6Q7O02i"We oughta build a wall around Trump and make him pay for it." - one GOP Utah voter supporting Kasich. pic.twitter.com/ioy6Q7O02i
Hansen told the Guardian: “I want to be represented by someone that is civil and human. When Trump gets cornered, he gets angry. He’s never been a real businessman. He’s never been anything he purports to be.”Hansen told the Guardian: “I want to be represented by someone that is civil and human. When Trump gets cornered, he gets angry. He’s never been a real businessman. He’s never been anything he purports to be.”
“I really think he started to run as a joke, and it morphed into something big and now he wants to see how long he can play the Americans ... He hasn’t come up with any ideas.”“I really think he started to run as a joke, and it morphed into something big and now he wants to see how long he can play the Americans ... He hasn’t come up with any ideas.”
He said he needs to do more research on Kasich’s policies, but that he couldn’t imagine voting for anyone else at this point.He said he needs to do more research on Kasich’s policies, but that he couldn’t imagine voting for anyone else at this point.
Brad Hansen, 50, Utah GOP voter who hates Trump: "I want to be represented by someone that is civil and human" pic.twitter.com/zHJ1P9KJ63Brad Hansen, 50, Utah GOP voter who hates Trump: "I want to be represented by someone that is civil and human" pic.twitter.com/zHJ1P9KJ63
3.05am GMT3.05am GMT
03:0503:05
Ben JacobsBen Jacobs
Donald Trump’s Twitter threat to “spill the beans” on the wife of Ted Cruz came just minutes before polls closed in Arizona and a few hours ahead of results from Utah.Donald Trump’s Twitter threat to “spill the beans” on the wife of Ted Cruz came just minutes before polls closed in Arizona and a few hours ahead of results from Utah.
The tweet, which threatened Cruz and his wife over a Facebook ad run by an anti-Trump Super Pac unrelated to the Texas senator, came as expectations were growing that Trump might underperform and as his response to the terrorist attacks in Brussels has drawn major criticism.The tweet, which threatened Cruz and his wife over a Facebook ad run by an anti-Trump Super Pac unrelated to the Texas senator, came as expectations were growing that Trump might underperform and as his response to the terrorist attacks in Brussels has drawn major criticism.
The ad, targeted only to female members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Utah, featured a nude picture of a Trump’s now-wife, Melania Trump, from a photoshoot for GQ in 2000. The frontrunner’s wife is lying on her front, so the image does not show her fully naked.The ad, targeted only to female members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Utah, featured a nude picture of a Trump’s now-wife, Melania Trump, from a photoshoot for GQ in 2000. The frontrunner’s wife is lying on her front, so the image does not show her fully naked.
The ad had a caption suggesting voters back Cruz lest Trump become the next first lady. “Meet Melania Trump. Your Next First Lady,” it said. “Or, You Could Support Ted Cruz on Tuesday.”The ad had a caption suggesting voters back Cruz lest Trump become the next first lady. “Meet Melania Trump. Your Next First Lady,” it said. “Or, You Could Support Ted Cruz on Tuesday.”
(Editors decided to remove a version of the ad from this blog, but the image is widely available on the internet, and can be viewed here.)(Editors decided to remove a version of the ad from this blog, but the image is widely available on the internet, and can be viewed here.)
Trump claimed the ad, targeted only in Utah where anti-Trump forces are hoping that Ted Cruz reach the 50% threshold needed for him to win all the state’s delegates, was a personal attack from Texas senator.Trump claimed the ad, targeted only in Utah where anti-Trump forces are hoping that Ted Cruz reach the 50% threshold needed for him to win all the state’s delegates, was a personal attack from Texas senator.
Cruz quickly took to Twitter to respond, writing: “Pic of your wife not from us. Donald, if you try to attack Heidi, you’re more of a coward than I thought. #classless?Cruz quickly took to Twitter to respond, writing: “Pic of your wife not from us. Donald, if you try to attack Heidi, you’re more of a coward than I thought. #classless?
From Trump’s perspective, the spat also serves a distraction from what may be a less than stellar night for Trump. While the Republican frontrunner is expected to win Arizona’s primary, it may be, by far, less than expected. One of the major reasons that Trump is expected to win is that Arizona’s loose early voting laws meant that a majority of the electorate voted before Tuesday and many anti-Trump voters cast their ballots for Marco Rubio before he dropped out. However, Cruz held campaign events in the state on Sunday and may be able to trim the margin.From Trump’s perspective, the spat also serves a distraction from what may be a less than stellar night for Trump. While the Republican frontrunner is expected to win Arizona’s primary, it may be, by far, less than expected. One of the major reasons that Trump is expected to win is that Arizona’s loose early voting laws meant that a majority of the electorate voted before Tuesday and many anti-Trump voters cast their ballots for Marco Rubio before he dropped out. However, Cruz held campaign events in the state on Sunday and may be able to trim the margin.
Trump has also suffered from an off-key response to the massive terrorist attacks in Brussels on Tuesday. They came just one day after the Republican frontrunner called for the US to play a significantly smaller role in Nato, which is headquartered in Brussels and also flip-flopped yet again on sending ground troops to fight Isis. In response to the attack, Trump reaffirmed his support for torture and a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States while standing by his skepticism of Nato.Trump has also suffered from an off-key response to the massive terrorist attacks in Brussels on Tuesday. They came just one day after the Republican frontrunner called for the US to play a significantly smaller role in Nato, which is headquartered in Brussels and also flip-flopped yet again on sending ground troops to fight Isis. In response to the attack, Trump reaffirmed his support for torture and a temporary ban on Muslims entering the United States while standing by his skepticism of Nato.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.10am GMTat 3.10am GMT
2.32am GMT
02:32
Jeb Lund
Can Trump be stopped? The Guardian US columnist Jeb Lund doesn’t think tonight will answer that question – that will be decided at the convention.
Tonight looks to be one of those primary nights that could provide surprising answers to specific questions, while the general shape of the race remains otherwise unchanged. We have to take joy in the minutiae of the plot because we know that the story’s ending is mostly written.
Trump should walk away with Arizona’s winner-take all delegates, making Ted Cruz dropping over half a million in that state look like a waste. It’s possible that Ted Cruz knows something that we don’t, but it’s also possible that Ted Cruz realizes Arizona is his last chance to stop The Trump Inevitability. Or he’s just crazy, which you can never dismiss with Ted Cruz.
In Utah, Cruz has a comfortable lead, in part because Mormons loathe Trump. What’s in question is not his win but the margin. With over 50% of the vote, Cruz can walk away with all the apportioned delegates.
Regardless, what we’re liable to emerge with is what we already know: Trump is almost certain to go into the Republican National Convention as the delegate leader, and the question is whether the Republican party can or will screw him out of the nomination
2.08am GMT
02:08
Jason Wilson, reporting from a caucus site in Idaho, says the Bernie Sanders side of the room seems more packed than the Hillary Clinton one, but it may be a long night:
Lots having to stand in the Sanders section; still some empty seats in Clinton stalls. #IdahoCaucus pic.twitter.com/AoJVl5TAF6
Tonight, Idaho Democrats have been somewhat overwhelmed by the large numbers turning out to participate in their caucuses. In Ada County alone, which includes the capital, Boise, more than 10,000 people came downtown to choose a Democratic candidate.
Statewide, 27,000 made reservations, and 10,000 did so just today. But caucus-goers can show up without one. Final turnout is almost certain to be higher still. This could be the biggest event in the history of Idaho Democratic politics.
Just after 7pm local time, when the doors were due to be shut, the MC appealed for patience so that the thousands still outside could be processed and admitted to the caucuses. The line for entry snaked around an entire city block in Boise.
Local officials’ capacity to plan is limited by the fact that this is an open caucus: anyone can participate, whatever their affiliation, as long as they did not also participate in Republican caucuses earlier this month.
This is reflected in the fact that overwhelming majority of those whom I have spoken to are first-time caucus-goers. Many – especially the many younger voters – have been energized by the candidacy of Bernie Sanders.
But many independents and older Democrats are loyal to Hillary Clinton or appalled by the prospect of a Donald Trump presidency.
Jim, who described himself as an independent, has never attended any caucuses before tonight. He was sitting in the small amount of allocated seating for undecideds, but he was leaning towards Senator Sanders. Most of these undecideds are independents; convinced Democrats have already made their choice.
“Foreign policy is important,” he said, “but what are we going to do to bring jobs back from overseas, so that people can have decent lives?”
The most important question is: “How are we going to take care of Americans, not what are we going to do overseas.”
He’s come out, in part, because of his alarm at the direction Republicans are taking.
“Donald Trump being president? That does scare me. It scares me because of the hatred that he builds.”
Updated
at 3.12am GMT
2.01am GMT
02:01
Meanwhile in New York City, Guardian reporter Lauren Gambino reports on a dispute between Ted Cruz and New York mayor Bill de Blasio regarding surveillance of Muslims:
Ted Cruz criticized New York mayor Bill de Blasio for abolishing a controversial surveillance program on Muslims during a press conference on Tuesday.
“If you look here in the city of New York, New York had a proactive policing program that Mayor Michael Bloomberg championed to work cooperatively with the Muslim community to prevent radicalization,” Senator Ted Cruz told reporters during a press conference in New York on Tuesday. “Mayor Bill de Blasio when he came in, in a peak of political correctness, canceled the program.”
In response, the mayor’s office called Cruz’s reflection of the program “blatantly false”.
Monica Klein, a spokeswoman for the mayor, said: “Now we know why everyone is calling Ted Cruz a liar.”
Updated
at 2.10am GMT
1.51am GMT
01:51
Donald Trump just threatened to “spill the beans” on Ted Cruz’s wife on Twitter and then promptly deleted the tweet.
Mr. Trump deleted this tweet: pic.twitter.com/gm76A8jcKm
Update: Trump apparently did not regret insulting Cruz’s wife and has just reposted the deleted tweet, this time being sure to add the “Lyin’ Ted Cruz” label to the post:
Lyin' Ted Cruz just used a picture of Melania from a G.Q. shoot in his ad. Be careful, Lyin' Ted, or I will spill the beans on your wife!
Here’s the ad in question. It shows an image of Melania Trump posing nude on a blanket.
Updated
at 2.16am GMT
1.47am GMT
01:47
Paul Lewis reports from Arizona where the final voters are casting their ballots in the GOP and Democratic primaries:
The polls here in Arizona will close shortly and, depending on how close the races are, the results could be called quite soon. Based on the limited polling conducted in the lead-up to today (and what most local experts say) these are primaries that Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton should win. Arizona is the biggest prize tonight. It has more delegates up for grabs than either Utah or Idaho. Both Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders have campaigned hard in Arizona in recent days, despite their apparent long shots in the state. What would it mean if either candidate pulled off an upset?
On the Democratic side, not much. Arizona apportions delegates proportionately, and Sanders would have to win this and other states by wide margins to convince most strategists that he can begin to turn the race around. However a Sanders win in Arizona would raise questions over the breadth-and-depth of Clinton’s support, particularly among Latino voters.
Arizona is more important in the Republican race, which is now a test of whether Trump can amass the 1,237 delegates needed to win the nomination without having to win over party officials in a contested convention. In the unlikely event Cruz can take Arizona’s 58 delegates tonight - and also wins Utah’s race, where he is strongly favored, by more than 50 percent (which would mean he wins all 40 delegates from that state) – he’ll put a major dent in Trump’s effort to win the nomination outright.
1.41am GMT
01:41
Huge crowds in Idaho mean it could be a long night for some trying to participate in the Democratic caucus, Jason Wilson reports:
In fact, the queue has grown since I last came outside! Now winds around an entire downtown block! #IdahoCaucus pic.twitter.com/IyofVUqIvN
Staffers told me earlier they were expecting to break 2008 record. This is likely the biggest thing that’s ever happened in ID dem politics.
Looks dated to be a longer night than expected in Boise. Still thousands yet to get through the doors. #IdahoCaucus
MC inside Boise Centre asking for patience as they try to accommodate the crowds outside.
1.37am GMT
01:37
Sam Levin reports from a busy GOP caucus site in Salt Lake City, where hundreds are trying to navigate a confusing process.
There’s a fair amount of confusion and chaos at a high school in Salt Lake City where Republican caucus-goers are attempting to sign in and find their precincts in packed hallways, classrooms and auditoriums.
chaotic GOP caucus in Salt Lake City, Utah where voters could also vote online this year, causing major confusion https://t.co/5jExLWdkrK
Adding to the confusion is the fact that Republicans for the first time were allowed to vote online this year – a rarity in elections across the US. Voters who wanted to participate online had to register by 18 March, and some who didn’t realize there was a deadline were trying – unsuccessfully – to register today.
Others who cast ballots online showed up in person to the caucus and were trying to determine if they needed to vote again. GOP leaders tried to explain that they did not and should not try to caucus again.
Further complicating matters, some voters who registered online said they forgot their passwords and were having trouble logging on.
1.02am GMT
01:02
Sam Levin reports from a crowded Democratic caucus in Salt Lake City, where voters are hoping their preferred candidate can stop Donald Trump.
Democratic voters in Salt Lake City – waiting outside an elementary school on a rainy, slightly snowy evening – said they were united by their desire to keep Donald Trump out of the White House.
Olivia Juarez, 22, said voters seem to share a common appreciation for Trump and Sanders since they’re both outsiders who speak their mind and fight for what they believe in. “I really think Sanders is the best candidate to beat Trump. Trump and Sanders both bring out voters, and people are looking for somebody they can trust.”
Olivia Juarez, 22, says Bernie Sanders is the only candidate who can beat Donald Trump. #UtahCaucus pic.twitter.com/heMvIuKkJW
Friends have tried to convince her that Clinton is more viable and experienced, but Juarez said Sanders would do the best job fighting climate change.
Nahom Tsegai, 27, said his parents are immigrants from Eritrea and that he is terrified of Trump’s extreme anti-immigration policies. Hillary Clinton’s support of the Dream Act is one of the main reasons why she has his vote.
Nahom Tsegai, 27, plans to caucus for Hillary Clinton, says Bernie Sanders plans aren't realistic. #UtahCaucus pic.twitter.com/CfRovqRVQh
“I don’t feel comfortable voting for [Sanders],” said Tsegai, an engineer. “He’s for free education ... Certainly that’d be great if it could actually happen, but that’s a huge promise. How can you afford to do that?”
Clinton would do the best job protecting immigrants’ rights. “This country needs to be flexible to allow immigrants to come here,” he added.
John Cross, a 54-year-old maintenance worker, said he was a fan of Bill Clinton, but is not fond of his wife: “Hillary is kind of a criminal. She’s definitely no Bill, that’s for sure.”
John Cross, 54 year old maintenance worker, says he doesn't trust Hillary and is inspired by Bernie #UtahCaucus pic.twitter.com/Ngjq9MVwz4
Cross added, “I’m a total Democratic socialist ... and Bernie is the best on climate change and health care.”
12.40am GMT
00:40
The Guardian’s Jason Wilson files this dispatch from the Boise Centre in Idaho where the Democratic caucus will soon begin.
Along the slow-moving line outside the Boise Centre, the vast majority of voters that the Guardian interviewed were first-time caucus-goers. A few have only become eligible in the last few years, but many have been energised by what’s at stake in this election.
One group of Sanders supporters – Samantha, Jeff and Christa, all in their mid and late 20s – were all first-time attendees, despite being eligible in the past.
Samantha is a first-timer for Sanders; wishes all candidates would talk more about transgender rights. #IdahoCaucus pic.twitter.com/2fm6Xtdcnr
They said Sanders was the reason they were there – “150%”. Jeff said Sanders’ “integrity, his passions, his motivations make you want to get involved in the process”.
Christa said he was “the only candidate who seems to be honest and really cares”.
Wayne and Andy were first-timers for Hillary Clinton. The prospect of a Trump presidency weighed heavily in their considerations. Wayne said his main reason for opting for Hillary Clinton was “to avoid a nightmare. The opposition is just so frightening.”
This was a common sentiment. Voters supporting both candidates said they would turn out for the eventual nominee in order to stop Donald Trump or Ted Cruz from becoming president.
Turnout was exceeding expectations as of early evening. The Ada County Democrats have had to book out an entire extra venue to accommodate interest in the caucuses, expanding from the Boise Centre into the neighboring Centurylink Arena, normally used for ice hockey and basketball.
12.33am GMT
00:33
Caucuses set to begin in Utah, Idaho
Welcome to our live coverage of the election night in Arizona, Utah and Idaho. The Guardian’s west coast bureau chief Paul Lewis is in Arizona, reporter Sam Levin is in Utah and reporter Jason Wilson is in Idaho.
Arizona and Utah have critical GOP and Democratic elections while Idaho is only hosting a Democratic caucus tonight.
In the primary in Arizona, where polls are set to soon close, Ted Cruz is hoping to pull a major upset against Donald Trump. In Utah, where conservative Mormon voters are not fans of the real estate billionaire, Trump is expected to finish in second or even third place and Cruz is vying to secure more than 50% of the delegates, which would allow him to win the whole state and put a notable dent in the frontrunner’s lead.
On the Democratic side, the race could be close in both Utah and Idaho. In Arizona, Hillary Clinton is leading in the polls against Bernie Sanders, which means a Sanders win would be a major upset for the former secretary of state and current frontrunner.