The News
Friday 19 of April 2024

Sanders Wins Big in Democrats Abroad Primary


Bernie Sanders
Bernie Sanders
The Democratic candidate won a large majority among Democrats living outside of the United States

WASHINGTON – Bernie Sanders has scored a big win in the Democrats Abroad global primary.

A U.S. citizen living in Mexico (R) registers to cast his vote from abroad, for a Democratic candidate during Super Tuesday elections in Mexico City, Mexico, March 1, 2016. REUTERS/Henry Romero
Larry Pihl, President of Democrats Abroad Mexico, helps a US citizen living in Mexico cast a ballot for a Democratic candidate on March 1, 2016. Photo: Reuters/Henry Romero

The party says 34,570 U.S. citizens living abroad in 38 countries cast votes by Internet, mail and in person from March 1-8. Sanders received 69 percent of the vote to earn nine of the 13 delegates at stake. Hillary Clinton won 31 percent, picking up four delegates.

It’s an important victory for Sanders, who was swept by Clinton in five states last Tuesday.

Still, Sanders continues to trail Clinton by more than 300 delegates.

Clinton now has 1,163 delegates to Sanders’ 844, based on primaries and caucuses.

When including superdelegates, or party leaders who can support any candidate, her lead is even bigger — 1,630 to Sanders’ 870. It takes 2,383 delegates to win the nomination.

Halfway into the primary season, the Democratic race now moves to Western states this week that Sanders is counting on winning to cut into Clinton’s lead. On Tuesday, Democrats vote in Arizona, Idaho and Utah, with 131 delegates up for grabs; on Saturday, Alaska, Hawaii and Washington hold caucuses with 142 delegates at stake.

HOPE YEN