Idaho’s Republican Primary is Expected to Draw Thousands

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — Thousands of Idaho Republicans are expected to head to the polls Tuesday to take part in the state's GOP presidential primary.

Republican front-runner Donald Trump, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and Ohio Gov. John Kasich are competing for Idaho's 32 delegates. Mississippi also is holding its primaries Tuesday, while Hawaii will have its GOP presidential caucuses. Idaho has far fewer delegates than states like Texas, which boasts 155.

But it plays a bigger role in the GOP presidential selection this year because state lawmakers bumped up the primary from May to March. Idaho's Republican primary is open only to GOP-registered voters. The Constitution Party also holds its primary Tuesday. Like the GOP event, Idahoans must be registered member of the Constitution Party to participate. The Idaho Democrats will caucus March 22.