Nevada GOP Caucus In Chaos
Sign up today for breaking news and weather text alerts!
Save Email Print
Updated: 1:42 PM Jan 18, 2008
Nevada GOP Caucus In Chaos
Today, the Ron Paul 2008 campaign is calling on the Nevada State Republican Party to re-examine multiple inconsistencies in the Nevada Caucus process, and to consider postponing the caucus, which is scheduled for Saturday, January 19.
Posted: 4:20 AM Jan 18, 2008
Reporter: Stewart Campbell
Email Address: stewart.campbell@kolotv.com
Font Size:

Today, the Ron Paul 2008 campaign is calling on the Nevada State Republican Party to re-examine multiple inconsistencies in the Nevada Caucus process, and to consider postponing the caucus, which is scheduled for Saturday, January 19.

"The inconsistencies, errors and multiple changes in the rules reek of playing politics with the what should be a neutral process," said Ron Paul 2008 campaign manager Lew Moore.

"The people of Nevada deserve to know exactly what the rules are and to know that those rules are being fairly enforced. This has not happened up to this point, and the caucus appears to be in chaos."

The problem of multiple rule changes is being compounded by other inconsistencies and errors in the process.

Many Nevada Republicans have received postcards with incorrect information about their caucus location, and the Nevada GOP website had incorrect caucus locations listed as late as Wednesday, January 16.

Additionally, one or more county chairs have expressed concerns over an insufficient number of ballots, and the Ron Paul campaign has heard reports that rural counties are short of ballots, while Clark County precincts were given what is regarded as far too many ballots.

The Ron Paul campaign has learned that the Nevada Republican Party has changed the rules for eligibility requirements for caucusing three times since January 9.

Last summer when the January 19 caucus was set, the Nevada GOP announced that caucus would be closed and only for Republicans who had registered by December 19.

On January 10, 2008, a caucus director for the Nevada Republican Party reversed the earlier policy and anounced a new standard by stating that any person who asserts that they are a registered Republican in the precinct but cannot be found in the voter rolls that the Republican party has, would be able to participate if they signed an affidavit attesting to the fact that they were a registered Republican.

Then, on January 15 the Ron Paul campaign received communication from the state party that the affidavits would not be used.

However, on January 17 the policy was changed for a third time, as the state party announced that affidavits would be in use throughout the state, subject to the discretion of county central committees and chairs.

The Nevada Republican Party is changing the rules from week to week, and currently the rules will not even be uniform across the state, as eligibility rules may differ from county to county.

Given the caucus location confusion, with potential caucus participants not knowing where to go, and the new rule effectively allowing anyone to get a ballot, the Ron Paul campaign is concerned that the confusion surrounding the caucus will both disenfranchise voters and make the election particularly susceptible to vote fraud.


Latest Comments

Posted by: johana Location: stockton, CA on Mar 19, 2008 at 09:50 AM

is there snow up there now?
Posted by: Stacy Location: MN on Jan 20, 2008 at 08:04 PM

The Nevada GOP has officially dismissed the complaints of the Paul campaign, stating: "We would hope that the Paul campaign would go act like adults and not try to set up straw men to make up for their lack of organizing." Uh, who's not organized? If this whole 'caucus' wasn't a blatant sham, I don't know what is. Nevadans almost have a reason to riot after this. Good God...
Posted by: t quigly Location: denver co on Jan 19, 2008 at 08:04 PM

All the states so far are deeply embarrassing the U.S. in front of the world with their screwed-up caucuses/primaries. In the past 200 years, how many elections have been held? You'd think it would be a snap by now - but NO !! TRASH THE MACHINES !! Ron Paul for the long haul !!
KOLO 8 News Now on Facebook
KOLO Features
Northern Nevada Jobs
Find great local jobs here!
Pro Football Picks
Play the Pro Football Game and win cash and prizes from the Peppermill each week!
Coupons, Click Here!
Find great deals here!
Stay-Cations
Find a Stay-Cation close to home!
HDTV Information
Everything you need to know about the Digital TV Transition.
KOLO Online Poll
Do you find that digital billboards impair your ability to drive at night?

Yes
No


Share Your Thoughts With Us!

Read the full story here
Northern Nevada Medical Center
KOLO AP Online Videos
KOLO Blogs
Covering Rural Nevada Alone part 5 - Post Your Comments!
"The Home of the Free?" I don't think so! - Post Your Comments!
Covering Rural Nevada Alone part 4 - Post Your Comments!
Covering Rural Nevada part 3 - 1 Comments Posted
Covering Rural Nevada alone part 2 - 1 Comments Posted
More Blogs >>>
Stock Quotes
QUOTES
    Symbol Lookup