Our official Election Results post: Check ’em, discuss ’em

We’re out covering a meeting and won’t be able to add narrative to this post for a while — but now that the polls are closed, here are the links where you should be able to find results from the state’s presidential primary: Statewide results here, King County results here. 9 PM UPDATE: Statewide results so far, Obama 50%, Clinton 47% on the D side; McCain winning the R side by a mile. 2:30 AM UPDATE: Those numbers (Obama/Clinton) have held all night long.

arborhts February 20, 2008 (3:39 am)

Weird, ain’t it? When votes are cast in a manner convenient to all, the results are vastly different.

Imagine what the results would have been if the Washington Democratic Party joined the 21st century, and gave up on this silly caucus idea.

People who work on Saturdays, caregivers, people who hold Saturday as their Sabbath, people who must depend upon public transport (it took me an hour and a half to get to my caucus, and two hours to return home), people who are on vacation, or have unbreakable appointments, people for whom English is a second language, so many groups are disenfranchised by this process.

And not requiring proof of identification or registration at these caucuses is just plain dumb.

coffee geek February 20, 2008 (10:19 am)

One could also argue the caucuses encourage those that feel strongly enough to show up. I know a few folks who talk a big game, but couldn’t be bothered to show on caucus Saturday because they had “other things to do”. That said arborhts, I do think you make important points that should be considered.

Huindekmi February 20, 2008 (10:53 am)

It could also be that anyone who realized that the primary, at least for the democrats, was nothing more than a beauty contest didn’t even bother to vote. That could explain the differing results as well.
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My wife and I shredded our ballots because there was no point. Why waste the time (and taxpayers money) counting ballots for no reason?
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Since only the Republican party was using the primary to determine candidates, this should have been a Republican primary only. There was no reason for the Democrats to even be on the ballot.

cami February 20, 2008 (12:06 pm)

Definately a waste of ink to place the Dems on the ballot. I thought the caucus process was great. Democracy really IN ACTION.

TeaLady February 20, 2008 (12:22 pm)

Absolute agreement with Huindekmi. I feel VERY strongly about this election and when I realized the primary didn’t count for the Dems, I didn’t even bother sending my ballot in. It’s all VERY confusing but I do have to say I enjoyed my first caucus experience :)

Jen V. February 20, 2008 (2:10 pm)

I am in agreement. I voted at the caucus only because I knew my vote would not count if I did not. I did not bother to vote yesterday knowing my vote did not count and the only other items on the ballot to my knowledge are school levies- which since I don’t have children I don’t vote on. I still felt guilty for missing my first vote in 16 years of being a registered voter!

Sandy February 20, 2008 (2:49 pm)

The higher participation factor alone lends itself to the primary being a much more logical (and efficient) way to cast votes. Voting is personal, hashing it out with people intent on “changing my mind” (this was actually said to me) is not something I find helpful. I went to the caucuses so that my vote would count, but strongly prefer just being allowed to vote in peace.

arborhts February 21, 2008 (2:19 pm)

“My wife and I shredded our ballots because there was no point. ”

Too bad. There would have been an important point to your ballots!

Every primary vote cast should prove to the Washington Dem Party that the caucus system must go.

Participation by the majority of voters is more important than a quaint social demonstration of “democracy in action.” It is not a democracy if the loudest few determine the outcome. If you want to socialize with your neighbors, sponsor a block party.

And, since the ballot counting process is already in place, someone please explain to me how the Democrats “saved taxpayer money.” How much money? Is it worth it??

Or rather, what good is it to save taxpayer money if the result is that the wishes of a majority of voters is ignored?

I read where less than six per cent of registered voters attended this caucus – a record turnout. And over 30 per cent of registered voters voted in the primary. Who knows how many more would have voted if they knew their ballots would count?

I detest the idea that a few bold party members get to decide Washington primary results. Sounds too much like the smoke-filled rooms of yesteryear.

Sorry, comment time is over.