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Sarpy County crush forces changes in caucus procedures

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From Staff and Wire Reports

Saturday, Feb 09, 2008 - 08:06:16 pm CST

Sarpy County had only one caucus site for 28,000 registered Democrats, triggering traffic backups for miles, complaints from voters and changes in the way officials conducted the caucus.

“To only have one polling place for the third largest county in our (state) was certainly a mistake,” said Joe Pilakowski, a 31-year-old high school teacher from Papillion. “It’s kind of a mess.”

Lines started to form outside of Papillion-La Vista South High School before 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Registration was to begin at noon, with the caucus to start at 12:30 p.m., said Peg O’Dea Lippert, chairwoman of the Sarpy County Democratic Caucus.

Law enforcement shut down Nebraska 370 and the intersection leading into the caucus site — a public high school — because the area was packed with cars.

Caucus planners initially requested the high school provide room for 400 people, she said. When nearly 2,000 people  showed up, they had to use the gym to accommodate the crowd.

“I ended up running the caucus from a speaker in the office,” Lippert said.

The influx of people was so massive that volunteers began collecting cards stating a preference for Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, then telling them they could leave.

Traditional caucus procedures allow for more interaction, with supporters standing on either side of a room trying to persuade the undecided and not-so-sure supporters of other candidates to join them.

“People are threatening to leave, and we didn’t want anyone to leave without being counted,” said Marea Bishop, 43, of  Bellevue, a volunteer at the caucus. “The turnout is so far above all our wildest dreams.”

“Desperation,” Sarpy County Democratic Party Chairman Burke Summers said when asked why officials changed procedures at the last minute. School officials wanted the school cleared of caucus-goers by midafternoon to make way for a pair of youth basketball games.

Steve Dawes, a volunteer from Bellevue, said most people were upbeat about the long lines.

“There have been complaints, but people do want their voices to be heard so they’re trying to be patient,” Dawes said.

Destini Howard, 38 of Bellevue, came to vote for Obama and said the wait was worth it to be part of electing the first black president.

“I’m willing to stand here as long as it takes,” Howard said.

When organizers printed off ballots, Lippert said, they initially ordered 1,500. Friday night, she said, they requested more.

After the caucus ended at 3:30 p.m., Lippert and about 10 people gathered up the ballots to begin counting.

“The happiest problem ever in Sarpy County,” she said.

A final count showed 1,842 cast votes in Sarpy County.

“There’s a hell of a lot fewer Republicans in Sarpy County than there were yesterday,” Summers said.


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gtown wrote on February 9, 2008 2:03 pm:
" Most of those changing parties are there to ensure that HRC doesn't get the nod. It might have even been an organized effort, similar to what the Democratic party tried to do to GWB in South Carolina 8 years ago: change parties to thwart the primary, then vote Democrat in the general election. You know what they say about payback! "

 db wrote on February 9, 2008 2:53 pm:
" Awesome. Great day to be a Nebraska Democrat. "

 confused wrote on February 9, 2008 3:13 pm:
" So, I am understanding this right? Someone who was been a lifelong registered Republican can show up today at the caucus and simply change parties and vote in the Democratic caucus? Does this mean they can vote again in the upcoming Republican primary later in the year? "

 Bpb wrote on February 9, 2008 3:32 pm:
" Isn't there some way we can blame the GOP for this? "

 Yup wrote on February 9, 2008 4:20 pm:
" And you think collecting preferential cards and allowing people to leave isn't going to lead to fraud? How easy would it be for anyone collecting these cards to slip in a few extra (50 or more) cards for their candidate? What a mess. I don't believe this will be accurate at all in Sarpy county. "

 LC wrote on February 9, 2008 4:23 pm:
" I think this is all very exciting. It shows that people are not happy with the way things are going and are going to make sure they are involved in any changes that may happen. "

 Sylvia wrote on February 9, 2008 4:54 pm:
" Miles of cars on a Saturday in Nebraska and it's not a football game? "

 Hank wrote on February 9, 2008 5:39 pm:
" Look at all the excitement Obama has caused, and and still there are Democrats that argue we need Clinton back in the White House. We need a new face and a new attitude, and that is why people are excited. Why can't the fuddy-duddies who support the royal Clinton family in the Democratic Party understand this? Never mind that Clinton will never win in November. "

 aVOTER wrote on February 9, 2008 6:25 pm:
" I am not happy with the caucus. I think it was a bad idea. I am for one person, one vote. Throw out the delegate and "Super Delegates" and let the people decide! "

 This sounds wrote on February 9, 2008 6:32 pm:
" like total ineptitude in the planning. "

 Stupid democrats... wrote on February 9, 2008 6:36 pm:
" Their plan for caucuses are about as good as their plans for this country. But all most Democratic voters care about is who has the better hair and is more eloquent. How else can you explain Obama being so successful. "

 Gays for Obama! wrote on February 9, 2008 7:38 pm:
" Thank you Nebraska.....we are helping us revolutionize the United States. LGBT is here! Freedom is on the march. "

 Maureen wrote on February 9, 2008 7:39 pm:
" What an awesome experience. w00t! Way to go Nebraska Dems. "

 serena1313 wrote on February 9, 2008 8:26 pm:
" Way to go Nebraska. Thank You.

"

 NE Dem wrote on February 9, 2008 8:51 pm:
" the turnout whether you support Obama or Clinton demonstrates how disgusted so many are with GWB and the disastrous war he started, not to mention the ever-rising health care costs that will cripple the poor and middle class for generations to come. George Bush has been an embarrassment to the country and our allies around the world. I can't wait until Jan 20, 2009 when another long, national nightmare is over.. AGAIN. "

 WCG wrote on February 9, 2008 9:11 pm:
" My caucus site here in Lincoln was packed, too. It was GREAT! The line registering new Democrats stretched across the floor for over an hour. THAT'S the kind of thing Obama can do for the Democrats! I got there early, and the parking was tight then - I don't know where all the people who swarmed in for the next hour ended up parking. A good mix of people, of all ages. And there weren't enough Clinton supporters in my precinct to beat the 15% threshold. All Obama, all the way! A great day for the Democratic Party, a great day for Nebraska, and a great day for America! "

 jas wrote on February 9, 2008 11:32 pm:
" As a participant in the Sarpy county caucus, I was really impressed with everyone's patience and am happy with the out come!!!

YES WE CAN! "

 Virginia wrote on February 10, 2008 10:01 am:
" It was wonderful to see the democratic process in action. Now let's all hope our local elected officials don't forget who they are here to serve. I fear we are moving away from government for and by the people in Lincoln. Studies and surveys do not always represent the view of all of the people. You can make a study prove whatever you want it to. How can we continue spending precious dollars on studies and luxuries (auditorium) when jobs are being lost and services cut? Let's wait and build that auditorium when the economy is better!! "

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