Thousands of voters wanting to have a say in who becomes the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate turned out in droves yesterday evening at caucus sites across the island. Residents said lines were long and the process a bit confusing but
Thousands of voters wanting to have a say in who becomes the Democratic Party’s presidential candidate turned out in droves yesterday evening at caucus sites across the island.
Residents said lines were long and the process a bit confusing but a team of organizers herded the masses and funneled them to the appropriate polling places.
Preliminary results showed Illinois Sen. Barack Obama beating New York Sen. Hillary Clinton roughly four to one. Check for updated information at www.kauaiworld.com.
As of 9:25 p.m. with less than 10 percent of the vote reporting statewide, Clinton hadd 666 votes, or 33 percent to Obama’s 2,258 votes or 77 percent.
Hawai‘i-born Obama would be the nation’s first African-American president. He maintains a narrow lead nationally over Clinton, who would be the first woman president.
“I expected there to be a lot of people and a lot of confusion and I was right,” Kapa‘a resident Louise Arakaki said. “It was a little time consuming but more of a community event.”
Arakaki and hundreds of area residents took turns waiting in lines extending out the doors at Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center. Voters there first checked in at precinct-specific tables and then cast their ballots after standing in another line.
Heading into the state caucus, Obama had secured an estimated 1,276 delegates to Clinton’s 1,220. A Democratic candidate needs 2,025 to win the party’s nomination.
Hawai’i Democrats have 29 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in August. The presidential preference poll at its caucuses yesterday determined how 20 of the delegates were awarded. Candidates must win 15 percent of the vote to be eligible for delegates, which will be awarded proportionally based on poll results. Voters at the caucuses will also elect delegates to the state convention in May.
“It’s important for us to caucus because the race is so close that Hawai‘i may actually make a difference in the outcome, probably the first time ever,” said Anni Caporuscio, whose caucus meeting was in Kapa‘a. “This national election is heated and close and monumental; it’s our historic duty to participate.”
Results for District 16, Precinct 1, which voted at Koloa Library, reported Obama receiving 168 votes to Clinton’s 46. The precinct also reported one vote for John Edwards, who has withdrawn from the race.
Results for District 14, Precinct 1, which voted at Hanalei Community Center, reported Obama receiving 204 votes to Clinton’s 56.
“There were four times as many voters as we’ve ever had before,” said caucus volunteer Barbara Robeson. “It was standing room only. Lines were pouring out the doors. There was a lot of enthusiasm and it was nice to see so many young people there.”
She said counting at the Hanalei site ended at 8 p.m. Officers and delegates to go to the county convention May 3 were picked by 8:45 p.m., she added.
The lines, which started early, had reportedly fizzled out at most sites by around 7:45 p.m., 45 minutes after the caucuses’ scheduled start time.
Jay Dorrance, of Kapa‘a, said it was a “killer turnout.”
“It shows that people are really into it,” he said. “That Democrats are making momentum.”
For many long-time residents, this marked their first time participating in the caucus stage of the election process. Some voters, such as Arakaki, said the closeness and historic nature of this race drew them out.
“I had spent years being totally passive about caucuses,” Kapa‘a resident Elaine Valois said. “But it’s important for people to express their choice.”
The caucuses give Kaua‘i voters a “direct say” in who should be the presidential candidate for the Democratic Party, said Kekaha resident Jose Bulatao Jr.
He discouraged residents from feeling “apathetic” or believing their votes do not matter.
Bulatao, who has past caucus experience, called this one a “humdinger” and said the “stakes are high.”
“I do my homework, make my opinions and show up,” Arakaki said. “I always have a say. It may be a little drop in the ocean to make it a little wetter.”
Organizers had to redirect some voters who showed up at the wrong caucus site, which is determined by where a voter lives. Several Wailua residents mistakenly showed up at the Kapa‘a Neighborhood Center when their caucus site was in Lihu‘e.
