Trump won both caucuses easily, picking up 26 new delegates to add to his total haul and also winning four-delegate ties in US Virgin Islands caucuses.
His win in Nevada put him on an assured course to the nomination, yet its results were marred by its unique voting system. Here’s why.
Nikki Haley’s Campaign Failed
Trump’s success in Nevada caucuses makes it seem increasingly unlikely that Nikki Haley can still mount her campaign. She placed second in Iowa and New Hampshire, but has struggled to gain ground against Trump in her home state of South Carolina due to minimal grassroots organizing or fundraising effort from her campaign team.
Haley’s presidential bid got off on an awkward foot when her campaign claimed Nevada’s two elections–a primary on Tuesday and caucuses on Thursday that will determine convention delegates–were fixed in favor of Donald Trump, thus depriving voters the chance to use their ballots as a form of protest and potentially jeopardizing Haley’s chances at earning delegate support.
Voters found it hard to differentiate between the two elections, leading to confusion and reduced turnout. Haley’s refusal to work with Trump wing of Republican Party also hurt her performance in caucuses.
The Voter Turnout Was Low
Former President Trump easily won the Nevada caucuses, an important step toward winning the Republican nomination. After earning 26 delegates in U.S. Virgin Islands and Iowa caucuses, and following wins in U.S. Virgin Islands and Iowa primaries, former President Trump likely will make an aggressive push into South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley’s home state on February 8 for its primary vote.
But the results in Nevada show signs of voter disengagement: turnout was lower than anticipated and especially low among younger voters according to Edison Research entrance polls.
Low turnout was partly a result of confusion regarding voting rules and volunteer assistance at some caucus sites, but also may reflect that many voters don’t care much for the process or any particular candidate in this race; some even selected “none of these candidates” on their ballot.
Trump’s Supporters Organized the Caucuses
At first glance, the scene inside a gymnasium at a Las Vegas high school may have seemed overwhelming to some voters: long lines formed outside its entrance while media observers were banned from attending caucuses inside.
Clearly, this boisterous atmosphere was an indication that Donald Trump has garnered overwhelming support among Nevada Republican Party leaders and made it more difficult for other candidates to compete here. For the first time in years, they held both caucuses and primaries with rules specifying candidates can only appear on one ballot at a time and receive delegate awards accordingly.
Trump was also helped along by former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley not participating in the caucuses but losing big at her state primary, where she came second place and gave away 26 delegates to Trump – giving the former president an easy path to nomination.
Trump’s Victory Is a Gift
After Nevada results were tabulated, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar applauded Bernie Sanders’ victory, as it demonstrated “you can win the hearts of voters by talking about compassion and decency.” Neither she nor Sen. Tim Walz indicated they would leave the race; rather they pledged their continued opposition to Donald Trump.
Nikki Haley avoided direct competition with Donald Trump in Nevada by choosing to participate in its Republican primary, yet was dealt a blow when far more voters selected “none of these candidates” on their ballot. Still, she remains committed to her bid for office across South Carolina and beyond.
Trump celebrated his success at the caucuses and claimed all 26 of Alaska’s delegates, as he looks forward to adding more in future contests, including U.S. Virgin Islands votes set for February 24. With this latest win under his belt, it appears that he may indeed claim the Republican nomination.
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