newsminer.com

As you watch the Alaska returns trickle in tonight, it will help to keep the following in mind. Regional turnout matters lots for Republicans, less for Democrats.

Let me explain. Each party is holding its vote -- a caucus for the Democrats and preference vote for the Republicans -- within each of the state's 40 voting districts. But there's a difference in how the votes will be counted. For Democrats, the breakdown within each district determines how many of that district's delegates will back each candidate. For Republicans, delegates to the national convention are determined by the statewide vote today and the state delegates don't really play a role.

So, for Democrats, a handful of voters in a district with little turnout will still get to direct the delegates assigned to that district. For Republicans, a vote is a vote. If a district party head can get out the vote in his district, then his district can have a bigger say than another district.

Clear as mud?