Oregon Public Broadcasting

Record numbers of voters turned out to caucus this weekend in Washington State. The lack of a clear frontrunner on the Democratic side was a key factor in driving turnout.

Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins takes us inside one caucus and looks ahead to Washington’s presidential primary on February 19th.

If you didn’t caucus this weekend … here’s a taste of what you missed.

Obama Supporter: “Hillary Clinton brings out the activist right wing nuts with a fervor that’s almost unimaginable.”

There were partisan-laced speeches. Passionate voters.

Clinton supporter: “I’ve waited a long time to vote for a woman so I’m sticking with Hillary.”

And plenty of vote counting.

Caucus official: “35 people voted for Clinton, 63 for Obama.”

Obviously this was a Democratic caucus. It happened to be in Olympia. Voters from several precincts filled an elementary school gymnasium.

By a nearly two-to-one margin participants here favored Obama over Clinton. Democrats assign all of their delegates at the caucus. The primary is simply a beauty contest for the candidates.

Former Party Chair Paul Berendt defends that decision.

Paul Berendt: “Democrats believe in precinct caucuses because we see these as party building endeavors. When you have 81 people show up for your precinct as I did here today those people are your foot soldiers that go out and help you win the election.”

Republicans, on the other hand, decided to select about half their delegates at the caucuses and the other half through the primary. GOP Party Chair Luke Esser says Washington is unique in having both a caucus and a primary.

Luke Esser: “I tell people that they will maximize their voice in the process if they participate in both processes. Now it’s true that some people just physically can’t participate in the caucus so I’m glad we have the primary so they can have some say in selecting the next president.”

Esser can’t resist taking a jab at his Democratic counterparts – and their decision not to count primary votes.

Luke Esser: “It is odd that a quote Democratic end quote party is so anti-primary. It’s a very odd, mysterious situation.”

Most Washington voters already have their primary ballots. Some have even mailed them in.

At the Democratic caucus in Olympia, the school superintendent stood up and asked voters not to toss their ballots. He reminded them there’s also a school levy on the ballot and their vote does count for that one.