Today’s Republican caucuses in Nevada differ from primary elections by requiring voters to devote a block of time to make their preferences known in a process that takes more time than just filling out a ballot. There are also some unusual rules set this year by the GOP officials in the state, including:
Timing: Republican Party officials in each county decide when to hold caucus meetings. In Clark County, home to Las Vegas and 70 percent of state residents, the meetings are at 9 a.m. today – a time that is inconvenient for the city’s taxi drivers, waitresses and other service employees who work on weekends.
Media access: Five of the state’s 17 counties will not allow media coverage or observation inside the GOP caucuses, and another county is allowing journalists only at registration tables outside.
Special caucus: Clark County Republicans have scheduled a caucus at 6 p.m. today at the Adelson Educational Center, to accommodate voters who observe the Sabbath on Saturday mornings. Nevada GOP insiders say the later voting is a result of pressure from billionaire Sheldon Adelson, an observant Jew who donated $5 million to Newt Gingrich’s campaign.
Results: The state GOP will begin releasing voting results at 5 p.m., officials said, which means results could be posted on Twitter, Google and other sources before the evening caucus begins. The release of results during voting would be unprecedented, critics say.