Today's contests

Voting: Democrats, 4:30-7:30 p.m.; Republicans, 4-5:30 p.m.
At stake: Democrats, 78 delegates; Republicans, 18 delegates (19 others to be chosen later).
Democrats: Barack Obama is thought to have an advantage because the caucuses are usually dominated by party activists. He also won the endorsement yesterday of Governor Chris Gregoire. However, Washington has a strong history of electing women, and both US senators from the state, who are women, have endorsed Hillary Clinton.
Republicans: Social conservatives have a history of packing the caucuses, which could boost Mike Huckabee. But with John McCain now a virtual shoo-in, some who would normally vote in the Republican race might be drawn to the higher-stakes Democratic contest. Washington voters don't register by party.

Voting: 7 a.m.-9 p.m.
At stake: Democrats, 56 delegates; Republicans, 20 delegates.
Democrats: A heavy turnout by black voters would benefit Obama. The state is close to one-third black and has only a small population of Hispanics, a group that has favored Clinton.
Republicans: The delegates are only awarded if a candidate gets a clear majority of the votes, a prospect enhanced now that Mitt Romney has suspended his campaign.

Voting: Must end by 8:30 p.m. (9:30 p.m. in western part of state)
At stake: 24 delegates.
The campaign: Clinton claims a strong grass-roots organization, but Obama has been endorsed by state party leaders and lawmakers as well as US Senator E. Benjamin Nelson, the only Democrat in the state's congressional delegation.

Voting: 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
At stake: 36 delegates.
The campaign: McCain was favored even before Romney's departure, but Huckabee hopes to do well, on the strength of social conservatives and the backing of the state's largest antiabortion group. State party leaders had split endorsements between McCain and Romney.

Voting: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
At stake: 3 delegates.
The campaign: In November, Obama attracted more than 100 supporters to a one-hour reception in St. Thomas that cost up to $2,300 to attend.

Note: All times EST

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