County Democrats choose delegates
By TRAVIS PURSER
Express Staff Writer
Idaho Democrats took a major step toward selecting a presidential
candidate last night during the 44 county nominating caucuses held across the state.
In Blaine County, voters gathered at the Blaine County Senior Center in
Hailey, where they cast votes for Vice President Al Gore and former U.S. Senator Bill
Bradley.
The ratio of votes for each candidate determines the ratio of Blaine
County delegates, out of a total of seven, who will attend the state Democratic convention
in Caldwell on June 22.
Blaine County Democratic chairwoman Sally Donart, who organized the
caucus, said during an interview that this year’s race is one of the closest
she’s seen.
"This is an exciting year in the primaries," she said. "I
think that we have two very important races in both parties, and I think that’s good
for democracy."
Because Idaho has an open primary system with unregistered voters able to
cast ballots for any party, Democrats select candidates in a caucus system designed to
prevent voters from switching parties between the primaries and the general election.
Upon entering the caucus last night, voters signed a pledge declaring
their party affiliation and candidate choice. They also agreed to have the pledge
published in newspapers.
Because participants are "bound by party tradition," Donart
said, the caucus system ensures that voters choose like-minded candidates who will carry
the local message to the national convention in Los Angeles this summer.
Tuesday was an important date nationwide for both Republicans and
Democrats who held nominating contests in 15 states.
Results from yesterday’s contests could foretell final nominations in
the national conventions this summer.
Idaho Republicans hold their nominating primary on May 23.
