Get ready to caucus Saturday

With candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination still locked in a tight contest for delegates, islanders can make a national impact at Saturday's caucuses.

Leading candidates of both major parties shifted focus to Washington this week.

Sen. Hillary Clinton will hold a rally at Pier 30 in Seattle at 8 p.m. Thursday, and a "town hall" at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Friday at 10:15 a.m.

Her rival, Sen. Barack Obama, will appear at Key Arena in Seattle Friday. Doors open at 11 a.m.

Republican front runner Sen. John McCain will also make a Seattle stop Friday, appearing at the Westin Hotel on 5th Avenue at 6 p.m.

Washington Democrats will allocate all their delegates (outside of the pre-picked super delegates) in the caucuses. No Democratic delegates will be awarded in the Feb. 19 primary.

Washington Republicans will use both the caucuses and the Feb. 19 primary to determine their delegates.

Both party's caucuses open at 1 p.m., Saturday.

Bainbridge Republicans will caucus at the American Legion Hall on Bucklin Hill Road.

Democrats will meet at one of five locations depending on their precinct.

The following is a list of Democratic precinct numbers and names from north to south, and their caucus locations. Precinct numbers can be found on voter registration cards or by calling the Kitsap County elections office at (360) 337-7128.

Precincts 330 (Rolling Bay), 335 (Seabold), 340 (Port Madison) and 345 (Torvanger) meet at Sakai Intermediate School on Sportsman Club Road.

Precincts 301 (Blue Heron), 310 (Blakely), 312 (Crystal Springs), 320 (Island Center), 328 (Skiff Point), 332 (Lovgren), 333 (Tolo) and 336 (Manzanita) meet at Woodward Middle School on Sportsman Club Road.

Precincts 314 (Finch), 315 (Ferncliff) and 321 (Meadowmeer) meet at Ordway Elementary School on Madison Avenue NE.

Precincts 302 (Azalea), 304 (Winslow), 317 (Eagle Harbor) and 322 (New Brooklyn) meet at Commodore Options School on NE High School Road.

Precincts 305 (Wing Point), 318 (Fort Ward) and 325 (Liberty) meet at Captain Johnston Blakely Elementary School on Blakely Avenue NE.

A handy map of island precincts and caucus locations, created by Walker Willingham, can be downloaded at this link: http://walkerwillingham.com/Bainbridge_Dem_Caucus_Sites.pdf

Caucus locations can also be found using the Washington State Democrats' search tool at http://www.wa-democrats.org/caucusfinder or by calling (206) 583-4345.

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Correction:

The Review's Feb. 6 editorial incorrectly reported a requirement for caucus goers. Voter registration cards are encouraged but not required at the caucuses. At sign in, caucus goers must declare themselves registered voters of the precinct whose caucus they are attending.

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