by David Turnoy

More than 700 people participated in the presidential primary for the Democrats Saturday on Orcas Island, and just over 2,000 participated countywide. Here on Orcas, Bernie Sanders received 569 votes out of 733 cast, or 78%. Hillary Clinton received 164 votes or 22%. Countywide numbers were very similar, with Bernie taking 77.5% of the vote and Hillary had 21.9%.

32 delegates were chosen by Orcas participants: 24 will represent Bernie at the county convention in Friday Harbor on May 1, and eight will represent Hillary. Our delegates are a fairly diverse group as far as age, gender, and other factors. They will help choose the delegates who move on to the 2nd Congressional District Convention later in May, who make the final choice for delegates to the national convention in July in Philadelphia.

Thanks are in order to the school district, which allowed us to use its facilities at no cost. Volunteers who made this event possible were precinct captains and secretaries Cynthia and Craig Abolin, Steve and Linda Hulley, Geri Turnoy, Jackie Daigle, Mark Mayer, and Jan Erlichman. Others who helped the process move along were Betty Bartleson, Eirena Birkenfeld, John Cook, and Kate Jewell.

Thanks to everyone who participated. We had more than 600 people present at one point, and it was hot and hectic, but everyone was patient, and discourse remained civil. Orcas residents showed themselves to be thoughtful, respectful citizens.