Several Nevada Democrats were forced to choose between an hour's wages or voting in the caucuses
As Nevada Democrats flocked to their caucuses on Saturday, some potential caucus-goers were forced to watch from the sidelines — because they're stuck at work. "There was a bunch of people who wanted to vote, and they said they'd lose an hour's wages if they did," Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.), a Clinton supporter, told The Washington Post. Whereas a combined precinct at the Wynn Las Vegas was packed with 376 voters in 2008 — mainly workers from that hotel and other hotels nearby — just 60 voters made it to the precinct on Saturday.
Navigating the hospitality and leisure industry's workers' unusual hours has long been a problem for the Nevada caucuses, FiveThirtyEight reports. An estimated 51 percent of workers from these industries were on the clock when caucusing began at 2 p.m. ET Saturday. Pushing back the start time wouldn't help matters much either, FiveThirtyEight reports. Even if the caucus start were to be pushed back to, say, 7 p.m. ET, 37 percent of workers would still be at their jobs.
Still, some workers did opt to clock out to weigh in on the presidential election, and others were able to use their lunch breaks to caucus. MSNBC reports that for a few minutes at the Bellagio on Saturday "the matching outfits of bachelorette parties and tourist groups that typically flood the Las Vegas strip were drowned out by the uniforms of bartenders, maids, and casino dealers."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
New York prosecutors lay out case against Trump
Speed Read The former president's first criminal trial started in earnest Monday
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
You Are Here: the new David Nicholls 'past-their-prime' romance
The Week Recommends 'Midlife disenchantment' gives way to romance for two walkers on a cross-country hike
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
The new powers to stop stalking in the UK
The Explainer Updated guidance could help protect more victims, but public is losing trust in police and battered criminal justice system
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published