Tens of thousands of Democrats will gather in Snohomish County and around the state Saturday to cast their lots for their party’s presidential nominee.
Officials of the Democratic Party are bracing for throngs of people at schools, labor halls and community centers where the caucuses will get under way at 10 a.m.
As of Friday afternoon, an estimated 155,000 people had registered or submitted absentee registration statewide, officials said.
“I think turnout will be ridiculous,” said Richard Wright, chairman of the Snohomish County Democratic Party. “People are engaged. They are ready to be a part of the process and Saturday they will get their chance.”
Former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders are battling for the Democratic Party nomination.
Clinton leads Sanders in the hunt for delegates by a margin of 1,223 to 920, according to The Associated Press’ count.
But Sanders — who held a rally in Safeco Field on Friday — outperforms Clinton in caucus states and is looking to make an impressive showing in Washington.
The state’s Democratic Party has 118 delegates at stake. Of those 101 will be awarded proportionally through the caucus process that begins Saturday and culminates with the state party convention in June.
The remaining 17 delegates are elected leaders and party officials. They are technically unpledged but Gov. Jay Inslee and the Democratic members of the state’s congressional delegation have said they back Clinton.
To participate in Saturday’s caucuses, one needs to sign an affidavit affirming they are a Democrat. And you be at least 18 years old by Nov. 8.
Caucuses are held by precinct. They are being held in central locations such as the Labor Temple in Everett, Meadowdale High School in Edmonds, Glacier Peak High School in Snohomish and Edmonds-Woodway High School in Edmonds.
To find your precinct or to confirm the location of a caucus, go to http://demcaucus.com which is operated by the state party.
If you plan to participate, or simply to observe, here’s what to expect Saturday.
The first half hour will be mostly about getting everyone signed in and logistics explained. When people register, they are given a chance to write in their choice of candidate.
Then, at 10:30 or shortly after but not before, an initial vote count will be done off those sheets and affidavits from absentees.
Each caucus will then divide into Clinton and Sanders supporters and a member of each group given a chance to speak about their preferred candidate. This conversation can go back and forth. Participants can switch candidates. Those who are undecided when they arrive can join one of the candidate camps.
When all the talking is done, another vote will be taken. Results of this second round of voting will become part of the final tally.
What is important to understand about Saturday is the Washington Democratic Party will not be announcing a winner. Officials said the purpose of Saturday is to elect 27,170 delegates from the precinct caucuses statewide. That number will be winnowed down at county and congressional district caucuses in May.
What will be learned Saturday is how many of those 27,170 delegates are backing Sanders or Clinton. Party officials think initial results will start coming in around 2 p.m. and every thing done by dinner.
Also Saturday, Alaska and Hawaii are conducting Democratic caucuses.
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623;
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