Washington caucuses open their doors

The four GOP candidates for president: Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum.

/ CBS/AP

Updated 3:40 p.m. ET

(CBS News) Although most political watchers are looking ahead to Tuesday - also known as "Super Tuesday" - when ten states will hold their nominating contest, Washington state holds its caucuses today, and the Republican presidential candidates aren't taking the contest for granted.

Registered voters head to caucus sites around the state beginning at 1:00 p.m. ET today to offer their preference for the Republican nominee in a non-binding straw poll. Results aren't expected until later this afternoon or evening, but it is up to the state Republican Party, and they could release results at any time.

Washington has 40 delegates at stake, but since today's events are technically non-binding, the more important aspect for the candidates is that the winner will add the state to its win column.

Moreover, the Evergreen State is any candidate's for the taking. A small percentage of voters are expected to participate (only 12,000 people did in 2008), which means the most active and passionate turn out.

Texas Rep. Ron Paul hopes to reap the benefits of the impassioned crowd. He has been running ads and campaigning in the northwestern state, continuing his strategy of focusing on caucus states filled with what he calls the "irate, tireless minority." Paul is spending the day there today by meeting with caucus participants in Puyallup, and holding a caucus night party in Seattle.

The other candidates are not turning a blind eye. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum have all visited the state or run campaign ads there. Little polling has been conducted, making it difficult to predict a front-runner.

In 2008, Washington's caucus coincided with a primary that had much higher turnout - over half a million voters. According to nwnews.com, the state did away with its primary election this year due to budget restraints.

In 2008, Ron Paul placed third in the caucuses and fourth in the primary while Mitt Romney placed fourth in the caucuses and third in the primary. Senator John McCain and Mike Huckabee placed first and second respectively in both Washington state contests four years ago. 

[nfission]

Ah... Poster-adults for severe mental disorders.

[erick_z]

Federal balanced budgets with government surpluses, Welfare reform, and millions of new jobs. Real solutions for today's problems. Sounds great..right? Sounds like Newt Gingrich back at work.

[erick_z]

Santorum or Romney.. What a VERY SAD and LIMITED choice for conservative voters. Both of these republicrat establishment guys are boring empty suits. The only one who has and brings any real excitement is Newt Gingrich.. At lease he has some interesting thoughts, ideas, and experience about how to get this country back on track.

[tremorfan]

You're leaving out the obvious choice: Ron Paul. He has the support from independent and young voters that will really hurt Obama in the general election, and he's the only candidate that stands on strong principles of peace, liberty, and prosperity.

[LKJK]

No, tremor...Ron Paul has he support of some young PEOPLE...not boters. They don't vote...as seen by his results so far.

[tremorfan]

This article is incorrect; Ron Paul came in a close 3rd in the caucuses in 2008 with 22% of the vote, beating Mitt Romney (who had suspended his campaign already).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Republican_caucuses_and_primary,_2008#Caucuses

[LKJK]

Which is what the article says.

[Custard_Pie_In_Your_Face]

Anyone but the warmongering, bible-bashing, bedroom policing, rabid nutcase Sick Rantmoron.

ANYONE BUT SICK RANTMORON 2012!!

[LKJK]

You are SO clever! Giggle giggle! Sick Rantmoron! HAHAHAHA! You must be the hit of 4th grade recess!

Seriously..I love how children don't ever realize how imature (and therefore, not worthy of people's time) they are with juvenile name calling.

[Willgopher]

North Pacific County:
Ron Paul 45
Mitt Romney 18
Newt Gingrich 14
Rick Santorum 12
Undecided 8

[geoguy53]

Sick of Rick and Mitt's not a fit. Let's do this, Ron Paul.

[LKJK]

You do realize that even Ron Paul doesn't expect to be president, right?

[SantorumSupportersDotCom]

Best of luck to Rick today! Santorum supporters DO NOT let Ron Paul steal your delegate spots!

http://santorumsupporters.com

[thetruthcanhurt]

How could ANYONE support such a narrow minded bigoted racist non-tolerant idoit!?

[RaySlapper]

ANYONE, ANYONE, ANYONE BUT THE FAILURE OBAMA!!
2012