Updated: Mitt Romney won the Washington State Republican caucus. Details here from our news partner The Seattle Times.
Earlier: Saturday at 10 a.m., a long line formed down the sidewalk in front of the Ballard Senior Center, which hosted the Republican caucus this morning. Most of the 58 precincts designated to gather at the Ballard Senior Center were represented at the caucus.
After signing in, participants were asked to sit at tables with other voters from their precinct. Most precincts had a handful of voters, but a few were represented by just one voter. Two rooms of the Senior Center were filled with nearly two dozen tables, and most people were happily chatting, drinking coffee, and discussing their presidential preferences.
After everyone was signed in, Kirk Robbins, the temporary chairman for the caucus, explained how the caucus would work. First, people were asked to write in their nomination for permanent caucus chairman and secretary. Next, each precinct was asked to nominate delegates from their precincts. For those precincts with only one voter present, that person could choose to nominate themselves.
Ian Wilson, setting up his table to support Ron Paul
Most precincts could elect from one to five delegates, and the majority of the discussion was deciding who would move on to be a delegate in the district caucus, which will be held in two weeks at Seattle Pacific University.
Ellen Vickers from Phinney Ridge was the only voter representing her precinct. Wearing a Ron Paul t-shirt, Vickers was more than happy to sign herself up to be a delegate, until she found out the next caucus is the day after her wedding. Not sure if she wants to caucus for her honeymoon, Vickers was undecided about if she’d make it.
Ellen Vickers and Joy, both the only voters representing their precincts
After nominating delegates, each person was asked to write in their presidential preference.
There appeared to be a strong turnout for both Ron Paul and Mitt Romney, however many precincts had some Rick Santorum supporters. As of 6 p.m., Romney was the projected winner for Washington state with 55 percent of precincts reporting. However, the 43 delegates from Washington state won’t be decided until the state convention in early June.
