Special Nevada caucus draws complaints

LAS VEGAS, NV - FEBRUARY 04:

/ Ethan Miller/Getty Images

LAS VEGAS - Hours after Nevada presidential caucus locations had closed on Saturday, more than 300 voters wrapped around the Adelson Educational Campus here to participate in an unusual exception to the state's election laws: a chance for orthodox Jews and Seventh-day Adventists to cast their ballots after sundown.

But near the table where participants were to sign an affidavit stating under penalty of perjury that their religious beliefs precluded their ability to vote during regular caucus hours, a cluster of voters who did not meet that requirement slowed the line as they were turned away, one by one. Most had come at the urging of the Ron Paul campaign, which had placed calls to its supporters informing them of the "second chance" to vote Saturday night.

"I received probably 10 phone calls today saying if you didn't make it this morning to your caucus, you can come down here - 30 minutes away from my home - and they would let you vote, get a second chance at it," said 23-year-old Henderson resident Michael DiCicco, a Paul supporter who said he was not aware the late caucus was reserved solely for those who practice certain religions. "It's discrimination."

Stephen Melancon, another Ron Paul supporter who was a delegate in 2008, said he was aware that the exception was to accommodate based on religious beliefs, but, "I thought there's no way they're gonna be able to restrict registered Republicans who were not able to vote in the caucus." Melancon, a high school teacher, said he was working a second job in the morning during the regular caucuses.

Critics weren't limited to Paul backers. Newt Gingrich supporter James Grindstaff, a Seventh-day Adventist who made it inside and knew the conditions of the late caucus, called the exclusion of those who did not meet the religious requirement "ridiculous," and was asking around for someone with whom he could lodge a formal complaint.

Clark County GOP Chair David Gibbs said the exception was approved under caucus rules, and had been vetted by attorneys. Asked why the county chose to make an exception for religious purposes and not other circumstances that would potentially prevent attendance on a Saturday morning, Gibbs reasoned, "there's a difference."

"If somebody wanted to be there but they don't have the means, they have friends, you know, they have other opportunities," he said. "I know folks who took the day off at work today in order to participate in the caucuses this morning."

Gibbs added that the exception "had nothing whatsoever to do with anything other than the fact that these folks who could not participate because of religious observances. Nothing."

Prior to the event, skeptics questioned the coincidence that the late caucus would take place at a Jewish school named for casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, who has poured millions of dollars into a pro-Newt Gingrich Super PAC. Adelson, who attended the caucus, has denied any involvement in organizing it.

After a delayed start and more than an hour of hearing arguments from various candidate supporters, Paul was declared the winner of the special caucus with 183 votes over Mitt Romney, Gingrich, and Rick Santorum, who received 61, 57, and 16 votes, respectively.

[dryon]

I am a Roman Catholic who attends mass on Saturdays @ 5:00 pm. Where was the special caucus for Roman Catholics?

[blau808]

Gotta love Nevada.

[Fatesrider]

Maybe it's me, maybe it's just that there are so many people, humanity has lost the ability to think, but I'd love to see people who vote have to pass a course in critical thinking first. One would expect that if you support a candidate, and want to participate in the election's process, you'd find out how that process works before-hand and actually go out and vote when and where you're supposed to.

Idiots shouldn't be allowed to vote.

This is a non-partisan point of view, by the way. There are idiots on both sides.

[cbsnews_viewer]

Nope. Study history. The US is a Representative Democracy not a pure democracy, a Republic. The founders knew pure Democracy would be unworkable chaos. Idiots have to pay taxes, risk getting arrested, and fight the wars also. Paul supporters are just motivated and they are going all the way to end, which is the convention in Tampa. This is America, we won by attacking the British and their German mercenaries on Christmas day. If the religious get favoritism, others will elbow their way in. Voting, is the alternative to armed conflict.
Its too bad many Republicans think its not a Republic, but a empire.

[occupy_cbs]

Most had come at the urging of the Ron Paul campaign, which had placed calls to its supporters informing them of the "second chance" to vote Saturday night.



Aaaaaah......we already learned from Iowa, that republicans love to practice voter fraud -- even when they are the ONLY ones voting!

How about that Indiana Secretary of State under mitch daniels?


Indiana Secretary of State Guilty of Voter Fraud

The top elections official in Indiana was convicted of multiple charges in a voter fraud case on Saturday, bringing uncertainty to one of the state's most powerful offices.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/us/indiana-secretary-of-state-convicted-in-voter-fraud-case.html

[Fatesrider]

He only defrauded voters by not being legally able to run for office. Different circumstances.

The right wing does enough stupid things that prove their evilness, but if you're going to hit them over something specific, then you should at least compare apples to apples.

[cbsnews_viewer]

Well, to be 100% fair Mr Obama comes from Chicago Politics. WHich is a study in election fraud itself along with the south. They where Democrats. Did the Republicans steal Florida, for brother Bush years ago. <Maybe>, you be the judge.

[roblearns]

If you think about it real hard, you might realize you are 7th day adventist, at least for that morning, for the purpose of caucusing.

[occupy_cbs]

Indiana election chief found guilty of voter fraud

A Hamilton County jury found republican Secretary of State White guilty of six of seven felony charges, including false registration, voting in another precinct, submitting a false ballot, theft and two counts of perjury.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57371606/ind-election-chief-found-guilty-of-voter-fraud/




Ooooooops......another republican bites the dust for voter fraud!

[wildemanne]

yup they cheated the people again,that's some kinda news there, the repukes doing anything honestly, making sure the lower/middle pay the wealthy shares, and some left over for the more wealthy!

[Jaylah54]

I noticed the article doesn't give the regular caucus hours.

Wouldn't you think that a caucus would be held in the evening? I know this one was on Saturday, but there are a lot of people that work on the weekends.

Given the fact that it's early February, the sun goes down fairly early in the evenings.

[ericboyer]

Nevada republicans couldn't organize a second graders birthday party. This caucus was clearly non Kosher. Can't blame this on the state or some liberals-- this is a party that doesn't have it together, and we want to put them back in charge? Hah!

[cbsnews_viewer]

As opposed to the party that is continuing Bush's expensive wars? As opposed to the party that thinks the United States is just one credit card and raises the debt ceiling? The party led by Mr Obama. Its a party all right, its just the kids and grandkids have to pay the bills, and clean up the mess.

[BuckeyeChuck]

Did they to show a picture ID?

[larrylinn1]

Why are was caucus scheduled in conflict with the Sabbath of any of those groups? Per the Constitution of the United States of America: Article Six: The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the Members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive and judicial Officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by Oath or Affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public Trust under the United States.
The Second Amendment states: ""Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof...".

[Mike_in_USA]

Are you really 'dopey' in disguise? This wasn't a 'test', there were more than one religion represented. If you are so sensitive to religion in government to the point you can't even look at reality, like you apparently are, then PLEASE go somewhere else. Cuba, Russia or China would be a good place.

[gicreature]

I believe you have made a mistake here. it was the first amendment of the constitution that you are quoting not the second. the second amendment is related to the right of the people to keep and bear arms, while the first is about the right to freedom of religion, press, and expression.