Confusion causes low voter turnout

ADAMS COUNTY - Adams County Democrats are supporting presidential candidate Barack Obama.

The party held caucuses throughout the Adams County Saturday afternoon to chose a candidate and select delegates, Party Chair Terry Janzen said.

She said there was a surprisingly low turnout for caucuses.

Janzen said the state failed to give proper notification of where and when the caucuses were to be held causing confusion among voters. Some last minute advertising was placed in a Ritzville publication to notify voters, she added.

Janzen said there were people who showed up shortly after the caucuses ended who may not have been accommodated. She said one woman showed up a few minutes after the caucus closed because she didn't know what time it was scheduled.

Fewer than 100 people turned out for caucuses throughout Adams County, Janzen estimated. Three to four delegates will be sent to the county convention in April to represent the candidate and the party, she said.

Janzen said although Obama was selected, Sen. Hillary Clinton was a close second with a difference of a few votes.

Adams County is divided into two Democratic party districts matching the 4th and 5th congressional districts.

The 5th district has 20 precincts including Ritzville, Lind, Hatton, Washtucna, Othello Rural No. 6, Cunningham, Fairview, Batum and Benge precincts.

The 4th District has 11 precincts including all Othello precincts except Othello Rural No. 6.

Editor's Note - The Columbia Basin Herald was unable to contact the Republican party chair for a similar article.