Nevada Democratic caucuses and convention, 2016
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The 2016 Nevada Democratic caucuses took place on February 20 in the U.S. state of Nevada, traditionally marking the Democratic Party's third nominating contest in their series of presidential primaries ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
The Republican Party held its South Carolina primary on the same day, while their own Nevada caucuses would only take place three days later on February 23.
With all other candidates having dropped out of the race ahead of the Nevada caucuses, the two remaining candidates were Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton.[1]
Process
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Of the total number of 43 delegates the Nevada Democratic Party may send to the 2016 Democratic National Convention, 35 are pledged and 8 are unpledged.
The delegate selection process is a system with three levels:
- The first step in the delegate selection process were the precinct caucuses on February 20, which elected about 12,000 delegates to the county conventions.
- At the county conventions on April 2, the county delegates selected about 4,000 delegates to the state convention.
- At the state convention on May 14–15, the final 35 pledged delegates to the National Convention will be selected. 23 of them are allocated proportionally based on congressional district results, whereas the remaining 12 are allocated based on the state convention as a whole.
State convention
The state convention was held in May as the final stage of the delegate selection process. Supports of Senator Sanders were angered when Party officials declined to accept the credentials of close to 60 pro-Sanders delegates. Nevada Democratic Party Chairwoman, Roberta Lange allegedly received numerous death threats and threats to the lives of her family and grandchildren, a criminal investigation has yet to confirm these claims or the identities of those allegedly involved. At the convention, Sanders supporters protested until the staff cancelled the event.[2][3] The event was later criticized as being violent, although there is no evidence that violence occurred.[4]
Despite charges by Sanders supporters that the Convention was rigged against their candidate, according to Jon Ralston,[3] "the facts reveal that the Sanders folks disregarded rules, then when shown the truth, attacked organizers and party officials as tools of a conspiracy to defraud the senator of what was never rightfully his in the first place."[3][5] After Sanders campaign Chair Jeff Weaver repeated assertions of process-rigging by Democratic Party officials, Politifact examined the evidence and concluded that, while the Party's selection process was "arcane" and "incredibly confusing", the fact is that "Clinton’s supporters simply turned out (attended the Convention) in larger numbers and helped her solidify her delegate lead." Moreover, according to Politifact: "There’s no clear evidence the state party 'hijacked' the process or ignored 'regular procedure.'"[6]
The Nevada Democratic Party wrote to the Democratic National Committee accusing Sanders supporters of having a "penchant for extra-parliamentary behavior — indeed, actual violence — in place of democratic conduct in a convention setting."[7] Sanders responded by denouncing the alleged use of violence while asserting that they were not treated with "fairness and respect" in a statement.[7]
In a TV segment, comedian Samantha Bee reported on the fracas,[8][9] as did Last Week Tonight with John Oliver[10] and Late Night with Seth Meyers in "A Closer Look" segment.[11]
Debates and forums
October 2015 debate in Las Vegas
On October 13, 2015, the Democratic Party's very first debate was held at the Wynn Hotel in Las Vegas. Hosted by Anderson Cooper, it aired on CNN and was broadcast on radio by Westwood One. Participants were the candidates Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders, Jim Webb, Martin O'Malley, and Lincoln Chafee. It was the first and only debate appearance of Chafee and Webb, who ended their campaigns on October 23 and October 20, respectively.
February 2016 forum in Las Vegas
On February 18, MSNBC and Telemundo hosted a forum in Las Vegas.
Opinion polling
Delegate count: 35 Pledged, 8 Unpledged
- Winner
-
Hillary Clinton - Caucus date
- February 20, 2016
| Poll source | Date | 1st | 2nd | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caucus results | February 20, 2016 | Hillary Clinton 52.6% |
Bernie Sanders 47.3% |
Other 0.1% |
| Gravis Marketing[12]
Margin of error: ± 4.0
|
February 14–15, 2016 | Hillary Clinton 53% |
Bernie Sanders 47% |
|
| CNN/ORC[13]
Margin of error: ± 6.0
|
February 10–15, 2016 | Hillary Clinton 48% |
Bernie Sanders 47% |
Others / Undecided 6% |
| Washington Free Beacon/TPC Research[14]
Margin of error: ± 2.9
|
February 8–10, 2016 | Hillary Clinton 45% |
Bernie Sanders 45% |
Undecided 9% |
| Poll source | Date | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gravis Marketing
Margin of error: ± 5%
|
December 23–27, 2015 | Hillary Clinton 50% |
Bernie Sanders 27% |
Martin O'Malley 1% |
Unsure 16% |
| CNN/ORC[15]
Margin of error: ± 6%
|
October 3–10, 2015 | Hillary Clinton 50% |
Bernie Sanders 34% |
Joe Biden 12% |
|
| Gravis Marketing
Margin of error: ± 5%
|
July 12–13, 2015 | Hillary Clinton 55% |
Bernie Sanders 18% |
Elizabeth Warren 8% |
Joe Biden 5%, Lincoln Chafee 1%, Jim Webb 1%, Martin O'Malley 0%, Unsure 12% |
| Gravis Marketing[16]
Margin of error: ± 6%
|
March 27, 2015 | Hillary Clinton 61% |
Elizabeth Warren 15% |
Bernie Sanders 7% |
Joe Biden 3%, Al Gore 3%, Martin O'Malley 1%, Jim Webb 0%, Unsure 10% |
| Gravis Marketing
Margin of error: ± 6%
|
February 21–22, 2015 | Hillary Clinton 58% |
Elizabeth Warren 20% |
Joe Biden 8% |
Bernie Sanders 4%, Jim Webb 3%, Martin O'Malley 0%, Undecided 7% |
Results
Primary date: February 20, 2016
County conventions: April 2, 2016
State convention: May 14–15, 2016 (presumably)
National delegates: 43
| Nevada Democratic caucuses, February 20, 2016 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | County delegates | Estimated delegates | |||
| Count | Percentage | Pledged | Unpledged | Total | |
| Hillary Clinton | 6,440 | 52.64% | 20 | 4 | 24 |
| Bernie Sanders | 5,785 | 47.29% | 15 | 1 | 16 |
| Uncommitted | 8 | 0.07% | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 12,233 | 100% | 35 | 8 | 43 |
| Source: The Green Papers | |||||
| Nevada Democratic county conventions, April 2, 2016 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | State delegates | Estimated delegates | |||
| Count | Percentage | Pledged | Unpledged | Total | |
| Bernie Sanders | 2,124 | 55.23% | 17 | 1 | 18 |
| Hillary Clinton | 1,722 | 44.77% | 18 | 4 | 22 |
| Uncommitted | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 100% | 35 | 8 | 43 | |
| Source: The Moderate Voice[17] | |||||
| Nevada Democratic state conventions, May 14, 2016 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | State delegates | Estimated delegates | |||
| Count | Percentage | Pledged | Unpledged | Total | |
| Hillary Clinton | 1,695 | 50.49% | 20 | 4 | 24 |
| Bernie Sanders | 1,662 | 49.51% | 15 | 1 | 16 |
| Uncommitted | 0 | 0.00% | 0 | 3 | 3 |
| Total | 100% | 35 | 8 | 43 | |
| Source: Nevada Democrats[18] | |||||
Results By County
| County | Clinton | Votes | Sanders | Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carson City | 49.11% | 83 | 50.89% | 86 |
| Churchill | 50.00% | 46 | 50.00% | 46 |
| Clark | 54.82% | 4,889 | 45.14% | 4,026 |
| Douglas | 54.14% | 85 | 45.86% | 72 |
| Elko | 43.18% | 38 | 56.82% | 50 |
| Esmeralda | 31.82% | 7 | 68.18% | 15 |
| Eureka | 13.64% | 3 | 86.36% | 19 |
| Humboldt | 33.75% | 27 | 66.25% | 53 |
| Lander | 28.99% | 20 | 69.57% | 48 |
| Lincoln | 60.32% | 38 | 39.68% | 25 |
| Lyon | 47.62% | 80 | 52.38% | 88 |
| Mineral | 53.42% | 39 | 46.58% | 34 |
| Nye | 58.75% | 94 | 40.63% | 65 |
| Pershing | 47.76% | 32 | 49.25% | 33 |
| Storey | 47.95% | 35 | 52.05% | 38 |
| Washoe | 45.70% | 877 | 54.25% | 1,041 |
| White Pine | 50.54% | 47 | 49.46% | 46 |
| Total | 52.64% | 6,440 | 47.29% | 5,785 |
Analysis
Clinton won the popular vote handily in the Nevada caucus, after a rough start to the primary season. With a razor-thin victory in Iowa and a crushing defeat in New Hampshire, Clinton rebounded to a five-point-win in the Silver State aided by late campaigning among casino workers. As The New York Times describes, "At a caucus at the famed Caesars Palace, blackjack dealers, pit bosses, cooks and housekeepers excitedly declared their support for the former secretary of state."[19]
Clinton had campaigned heavily in the state, airing an ad in which she comforted a young Latina girl who was worried her parents would be deported. Clinton's message appeared to resonate with Hispanic and African American voters, with Clinton winning by large margins in many diverse neighborhoods in populous Clark County, especially in caucuses in Las Vegas.
References
- ↑ "2016 Candidates". NVDems. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2016-05-21.
- ↑ Rappeport, Alen (17 May 2016). "Bernie Sanders Supporters Voice Ire at Nevada Democratic Party". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- 1 2 3 Benen, Steve (17 May 2016). "The fallout from Nevada's Democratic unrest". MSNBC. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ↑ LaCapria, Kim (19 May 2016). "The Chair Thrown 'Round the World". Snopes. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
- ↑ Ralston, John (16 May 2016). "The sour grapes revolution that rocked the Paris Hotel". Ralston Reports. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ↑ Snyder, Riley (18 May 2016). "Allegations of fraud and misconduct at Nevada Democratic convention unfounded". Politifact. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
- 1 2 Werner, Erica (17 May 2015). "Sanders Issues Defiant Statement Under Pressure Over Ruckus". ABC. AP. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
- ↑ Luna, Jenny (24 May 2016). "Samantha Bee Smacks Down Angry Bernie Supporters; A night of bro-bashing". Mother Jones. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ↑ Leeds, Sarene (24 May 2016). "Samantha Bee Takes Down Bernie Sanders Supporters Following the Nevada Democratic Convention". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
- ↑ Primaries and Caucuses on YouTube Last Week Tonight with John Oliver May 22, 2016
- ↑ Democrats Divided on Hillary and Bernie on YouTube Late Night with Seth Meyers May 19, 2016
- ↑ "Nevada Polling Results". Retrieved 2016-02-18.
- ↑ "Nevada primary: CNN/ORC poll full results" (PDF). Retrieved 2016-02-17.
- ↑ "Nevada Democratic Caucus Poll" (PDF).
- ↑ "South Carolina, Nevada CNN polls find Clinton far ahead". Retrieved 2015-10-12.
- ↑ "Nevada poll: Sandoval early favorite to succeed Reid; Cruz surges to lead pack with Walker". Gravismarketing.com. Retrieved 2015-07-09.
- ↑ Gill, Kathy (3 April 2016). "What just happened in Nevada? Did Sanders suddenly beat Clinton?". The Moderate Voice. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
- ↑ "FINAL ALLOCATION OF PLEDGED NATIONAL DELEGATES FOR NV DEMS". Nevada Dem. May 14, 2016. Retrieved May 14, 2016.
- ↑ Chozick, Amy; Healy, Patrick (2016-02-20). "Hillary Clinton Beats Bernie Sanders in Nevada Caucuses". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2016-10-21.