The Latest: Party official says long lines show enthusiasm

A Democratic official says caucus crowds, long lines and delays in Nevada show the enthusiasm surrounding the party choice between former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

Deputy Democratic party communications chief Eric Walker in Washington says people who were in line by noon you should be able to caucus.

Walker noted that casino MGM Resorts International officials told hundreds of Las Vegas Strip casino workers at a Caesars Palace caucus site not to worry about rushing back to work because of the delays.

[...] Democratic party officials said the caucus would begin while people waited in line.

A few minutes later officials reversed themselves, rushed everyone inside the room and said they would register voters during the actual caucus.

Doors are closing on big crowds at sites throughout Nevada where voters have gathered for first-in-the-West Democratic presidential caucuses.

Washoe County Democratic Party Executive Director Pam duPre says a robust turnout is expected, based on the more than 31,000 Democrats who pre-registered for the caucus.

DuPre said the site is a good cross-section of Reno, ranging from student housing to working class neighborhoods and middleclass residents on the edges.

Marley Anderson, a junior from Las Vegas majoring in criminal justice, says she turned out for her first caucus to support Bernie Sanders because of his views on social issues.