The Nevada caucuses are just getting started, and Emily Cahn, politics reporter for Mashable, is describing her initial impressions of the proceedings as “chaos.” All day long we’ve been hearing about how low voter turnout is traditionally in Nevada, but you wouldn’t know it from the lines. From the shortage of ballots? Yep.
Evening from Palo Verde High School in Summerlin, Nevada, where republicans will caucus. Im told Glenn Beck will speak here tonight.
— Emily Cahn (@CahnEmily) February 24, 2016
The line to enter the caucus site here in Summerlin is LOOOOONG at 5 pm, when things begin. #Nevadacaucus pic.twitter.com/EQipyy3FLf
— Emily Cahn (@CahnEmily) February 24, 2016
Gabriella, 6, is a smart biz woman, selling cookies here in long line at #Nevadacaucus. 300 boxes sold already! pic.twitter.com/rrh6DWWcDP
— Emily Cahn (@CahnEmily) February 24, 2016
This line snakes far from the entrance and is only getting longer at Palo Verde HS. #Nevadacaucus pic.twitter.com/AN9T0SYy9i
— Emily Cahn (@CahnEmily) February 24, 2016
It is chaos here at Palo Verde HS. No one knows where their precinct is, tons of people streaming in. #Nevadacaucus
— Emily Cahn (@CahnEmily) February 24, 2016
Man here says "it's a disaster." No one is checking in or checking IDs. They're handing out ballots willy nilly. Some guy voted trump twice
— Emily Cahn (@CahnEmily) February 24, 2016
The check in tables. Volunteers look overwhelmed. #Nevadacaucus pic.twitter.com/Xf232noE0l
— Emily Cahn (@CahnEmily) February 24, 2016
Glenn Beck was indeed on hand, greeting voters in line.
And Glenn Beck just showed up #nvgopcaucus pic.twitter.com/FN5Xtihxka
— Bill Clark (@billclarkphotos) February 24, 2016
.@glennbeck is here greeting caucus goers. People are excited to see him. #Nevadacaucus pic.twitter.com/kZXdV8NOdm
— Emily Cahn (@CahnEmily) February 24, 2016
In Sparks, where Donald Trump held a rally earlier, the line was insanely long as well.
Line of GOP voters in Sparks, Nev., at Reed HS. Ted and Heidi Cruz will visit the caucus site a little later. pic.twitter.com/ybfNtVocSP
— Kurtis Lee (@kurtisalee) February 24, 2016
Walked the line outside Reed HS. Seven out of 10 said they're supporting Trump. Two Cruz. One Rubio.
— Kurtis Lee (@kurtisalee) February 24, 2016
Doors open at Reed High School as Nevada GOP caucuses begin. pic.twitter.com/lp9Q3Cnp98
— Kurtis Lee (@kurtisalee) February 24, 2016
Meanwhile, back in Summerlin …
Second woman says no one checked her ID. She was just handed a ballot. She says it's very scary. #Nevadacaucus pic.twitter.com/VqxrOianFj
— Emily Cahn (@CahnEmily) February 24, 2016
Now an announcement that they ran out of ballots. They "weren't expecting a crowd this size." #Nevadacaucus
— Emily Cahn (@CahnEmily) February 24, 2016
@CahnEmily @TampaGurlFL i predicted this hours ago…
— angelforever (@lilrascal01) February 24, 2016
@CahnEmily @HotlineJosh Also happened in #iacaucus voters waited while someone ran out to make copies
— Laura Carlson (@lauracarlsonia) February 24, 2016
Caucus chaos at Palo Verde HS in Summerlin NV #nvgopcaucus pic.twitter.com/OqIjd50B3b
— Bill Clark (@billclarkphotos) February 24, 2016
Here’s the scene as described by a Marco Rubio source at Bonanza High School.
Text from Rubio source in NV: "This is a shit show."
— Elaina Plott (@elainaplott) February 24, 2016
Says caucus volunteers are wearing Trump gear (they're not allowed to show preference). "Actively bullying folks. Not checking IDs."
— Elaina Plott (@elainaplott) February 24, 2016
More from Rubio source: "They didn't ID one of our staff. We alerted the site manager." This is at Bonanza High School.
— Elaina Plott (@elainaplott) February 24, 2016
Reports from the field: "Palo Verde, Arbor View, Centennial, Clark High, Bonanza, Green Valley are all ridiculously packed. Record turnou…
— Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) February 24, 2016
Reports from field: Carson has two locations. Nugget packed w/folks standing in line clear downstairs on the casino floor. Huge turnout.
— Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) February 24, 2016