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Long lines form in Fargo to vote in Democratic presidential caucus
Written By: C.S. Hagen | Mar 10th 2020 - 12pm.
14 polling sites across the state open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday. Democratic voters with concerns or questions can call 701-255-0460 for information. Poll results may not be available until early Wednesday, March 4, Rohr said.
Asked about the high turnout at the Fargo polling site, Rohr said: "More people cast their ballots in the first three hours today than in the 2016 caucus. Fargo is especially high. We've seen an exciting number of new voters and many people who need help looking up their voting districts, which adds some time to processing. When we saw long lines, we activated additional volunteers, staff, and equipment. Everyone who is in line when the polls close will have a chance to vote."
Higher turnout than expected for Fargo's "firehouse caucus" hosted by North Dakota’s Democratic-NPL Party on March 3. Many people waited in line for longer than one hour. By C.S. Hagen / The Forum
North Dakota's Democratic primary is called a "firehouse caucus" because it is held in public places and run by the state party rather than the state government. In previous presidential election years, the party has opted for a more traditional caucus, in which voters may have been required to stick around for several rounds of voting to make sure their vote counted.
Changes to this year's format mean voters can cast a ballot and leave — much the same as they would in a state-run election.
On Tuesday, many voters told The Forum they were supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders, who's in a race for delegates with former Vice President Joe Biden to win the Democratic nomination. The line formed before the polling station opened at 11 a.m., and some people waited in short-sleeved shirts in 13 degree weather. By mid afternoon, temperatures warmed to about 23 degrees.
Matt and Katie McGregor, of Fargo, came unprepared for the long line and the cold. Matt wrapped a wool Army blanket around his wife’s shoulders while they waited.
“I’m here to vote for Bernie Sanders,” Katie said. “I believe he is the only one who can get climate change under control.”
The couple said they had voted in primaries before but had never seen a line as long as Tuesday's. Matt, who works at Rush Street Productions, thought the process would go quickly, but he said the estimated 1.5 hour wait was worth it.
“I feel this is too important to do, even in the cold,” Matt said.
Katie McGregor waits in line to vote Tuesday, March 10, in North Dakota’s Democratic presidential primary at the AFL-CIO building, 3002 1st Ave. N. in Fargo. C.S. Hagen / The Forum
Alan Goos, 32, of West Fargo, said he came to vote to make his voice heard.
“I’m not typically a primary voter. Bernie Sanders has a shot, because people want something new. They don’t want to hear, ‘I’ll take you back to 2010,’” Goos said.
Standing next to Goos, Lexi Henning, 23, also of West Fargo, wore a shirt supporting Sanders, but no coat. She shivered in the cold, but said the election depended on young voters getting to the polls.
“But we don’t see the information about polls, I had to search,” Henning said. She took off work from the Green Door Salon to vote for the first time in a primary election. “I will love you anyway you vote, but Joe Biden is so subtle, there is no change there," she said. "The more we press, the more the world will change.”
Voters cast their ballots on Tuesday, March 10, at the Democratic polling site in the AFL-CIO building on First Avenue North in Fargo. David Samson / The Forum
Voters wait in line to cast their ballots on Tuesday, March 10, inside the Democratic polling site at the AFL-CIO building on First Avenue North in Fargo. David Samson / The Forum
Voters wait in line to cast their ballots on Tuesday, March 10, inside the Democratic polling site at the AFL-CIO building on First Avenue North in Fargo. David Samson / The Forum
Dustin Brown, 28, of Fargo, stood at the end of the line for a minute before dozens more gathered behind him.
“Primaries are important. I just never thought of doing it before,” Brown said. This year, he’s been following politics closely, he said, and didn’t mind waiting in the cold.
Rep. Joshua Boschee, D-Fargo, said he voted for Biden because he believes the former vice president is the best option for unity. He originally wanted to see "Mayor Pete" Buttigieg win the Democratic endorsement, he said.
After seeing the lines, Boschee cancelled meetings for the day and volunteered to help. The elderly, those using crutches and parents holding babies were ushered to the front of the line. Others had to wait about an hour, he said.
"But I haven't seen folks turn away," Boschee said. "Everyone is in a good mood. I want to make sure we elect a president but also choose someone who is able to help elect Democrats down ballot."
Some Democratic voters chose not to disclose who they wanted to run the country, saying they'd vote for "whoever is against Trump," Laurel and her husband Bob Sparks, of Fargo, said.
More people cast ballots during first three hours of "firehouse caucuses" hosted by North Dakota’s Democratic-NPL Party in Noth Dakota on March 10 than in the entire 2016 caucus. By C.S. Hagen / The Forum
Voters wait in line to cast their ballots on Tuesday, March 10, at the Democratic polling site at the AFL-CIO building on First Avenue North in Fargo. David Samson / The Forum
Myron and Milly Johnson, also of Fargo, have been voting together for more years than they can remember, and although they like some of Sanders' ideas, they want to see Biden elected president.
J'neil Gibson, 25, of Fargo came to vote with his friend Joshua Bell, 20. Both were Sanders' fans.
"We need some unity," Gibson said. "He's the best one for unity and not so much discord. I also look at his track record and that is a good indicator of what he can do."
Unlike some polling stations around the nation who have reportedly ordered volunteers to wear gloves or keep distances from crowds, no changes were made to volunteer and staff protocols in Fargo because of any possible coronavirus threat, Rohr said.
Police and fire department spokespeople said the crowds parking and walking along First Avenue North did not create any problems.
The North Dakota Republican Party is hosting a presidential caucus 5-8 p.m. Tuesday. There are eight polling sites across the state, including the Holiday Inn, 3803 13th Ave. S. in Fargo.
Long lines form in Fargo to vote in Democratic presidential caucus | INFORUM
Long lines form in Fargo to vote in Democratic presidential caucus | INFORUM
