A Night At the Caucus - Or Primary vs Caucus

As I stated yesterday, I spent the first voting years of my life in either Florida or Virginia.  In both states, one visited a designated precinct's polling place, signed in, and went to a voting machine to make one's vote.  When I moved to Colorado, I was initiated into the role of the Caucus.  I didn't know it, but Colorado had used Primary elections in the past, and changed to the Caucus venue to save an estimated $3 million in cost per Primary.
   The Republicans in Colorado held a non-binding straw caucus last night, in some areas, while the Democrats were holding their Caucus.  I went to my place of Caucus, Boulder High School, and, after waiting 3 hours, and having been assured (at the beginning) that my vote would count, I was one of hundreds, possibly thousands, that were turned away.  I was very upset and angry.  In counting the non-binding straw vote, Repulicans largely supported Trump; while in Longmont,  from a precinct with a voter turn-out of 20, two voted for Trump, and there were nine votes each for Rubio and Cruz.
   At 1 a.m. this morning, the Boulder Democratic committee stated that during last night's Caucus, 23,568 votes were cast - 63% for Bernie Sanders. 36% for Hilary Clinton, and 1% undecided.   But the Democrats also stated that they were completely overwhelmed by the voting turn-out and had very badly underestimated the interest in this year's vote.  (They had planned for a turn-out of 15,000 or less.)  Hundreds of people at my sister's caucus site, Centennial Middle School, were turned away.  My room mate Beatrice and I were turned away, as were many other hundreds of voters at Boulder High School.
   The Boulder County Democrat Party has apologized to those of us who were unable to vote.  I think that,perhaps, Colorado should go back to a Primary voting poll rather than a caucus, in the very near future.....  Colorado uses mail-in ballots, or one can deposit them into repositories at several locations.  At least that way, I know my vote would have been counted - as it was not last night.

Yucky Weather

Finn slept last night!  He plunked down on one side of the bed, and Skippy leaned against me on the other side, and we actually slept.  It was nice.  It got up above 70 degrees yesterday, but we still had occasional gusty winds - and Nancy brought Rosie and Remy over for a 45-minute visit in the early afternoon.  Finn and Rosie went swimming in the koi pond, even though it's partially iced-over.  They all had a blast.  His folks are due back from Florida this evening; I've already warned them about the weather here.
  Four years ago we had a large gathering, so I'm told, for the Democratic Caucus.  Last time, there were 32 people who attended for our precinct; last night, I was one of 6.  Obama is unopposed here in Colorado; so we mainly discussed the County Commissioner candidates and the Colorado House of Representatives seat for District 12.  We split our representatives for County Commissioner District 1 for Garry Sanfacon (my therapist's hubby) and Elise Jones, and sent all delegates for Pete Salas in District 2; as well as for Angie Layton in the CO HoR.
  If you're interested in horses, and/or the Ocala Breeders' Sale, it seems that The Blood Horse will be streaming live video from the "under tack"  shows and the actual sales on their website, http://www.bloodhorse.com/ . The under tack views will begin at 8 a.m. EST on March 8 and 9.  The live auctions will be broadcast beginning at 11 a.m. EDT on March 13 and 14. (Yes, Daylight Savings Time hits us this Sunday....)
  Currently, it's 27 degrees and a combination of drizzle, snow, and ice pellets are falling.  Nedi went out and got completely wet this morning, but Lovey came back in shaking her feet, and has stayed in.  I walked Finn before heading home, and I'm about to head back there...  Not walking the red kids in this weather.  Hope you have a great day!  I'm looking forward to sleeping with the kits tonight.