The court ruling issued by United States District Court Judge James Mahan could look to be a boost for US Democratic rival Barack Obama in the Democratic presidential caucuses this coming Saturday. So far, Obama has been endorsed by the union that represents many of the shift workers will be enabled to use the precincts on the Las Vegas strip.
“State Democrats have a First Amendment right to association, to assemble and to set their own rules,” Mahan said when issuing the ruling.
So far, the state’s Democratic Party has approved the creation of precincts to make it more convenient for housekeepers, waitresses, and bellhops to caucus during the day near their workplaces instead of having to do so in their own neighborhoods.
The suit was brought against the state teachers union that has ties to Clinton. This comes shortly after the local 226 of the Culinary Workers Union endorsed Obama for the nomination of the Democratic Party. The state teachers union is the largest in Nevada with at least 60,000 members. However, Clinton’s campaign replied that it had nothing to do with the suit.
The suit brought by the union contended party rules and claim that it gave too much power to casino workers and violated guarantees of federal equal protection.
The judge said: “We aren’t voting here, we’re caucusing. That’s something that parties decide.”
The decision came from applause from Obama’s campaign while it criticized Clinton’s operation.
“While the Clinton camp clearly believed the voices of workers should be silenced in service of their perceived political interest, they enjoyed a 25-point lead two months ago and have much of the party establishment in their camp. So, despite their inherent advantages we are pleased this should be a close and competitive contest Saturday,” said Bill Burton, the spokesman for Obama’s campaign.
So far, Clinton, Obama, and John Edwards are in a dead heat to win Nevada.