Since they opened their doors at 2 p.m. Democratic caucus sites throughout the area have experienced strong turnout.

At the Bismarck Moose Club at 312 N. 20th St., a short line stretched out the door by 2:40 p.m. Local voters of all persuasions - some in sweat pants, some carrying babies, others wearing cowboy hats -showed up to choose between candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

"I think it's a historical election," said voter Christine Iverson, a 45-year old Obama supporter who voted today. "We need some change."

Jamie Selzler, executive director of the North Dakota Democratic Party, said about 4,200 people have voted so far, based on preliminary estimates from across the state. The figure puts Democrats on pace for a turnout of around 20,000, Selzler said.

About 500 people have voted so far at the Moose Club, the Democrats estimate.

The strongest turnout has been on college campuses. At the University of North Dakota voting site in Grand Forks, 600 people have turned out. At the North Dakota State University site in Fargo, 500 people have voted.

Republicans will begin voting at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8 p.m. They're voting at the Elks Lodge, 900 S. Washington St. in Bismarck.

Gary Emineth, chairman of the North Dakota Republican Party, had previously estimated turnout at around 10,000.

(Reach reporter Jonathan Rivoli at 223-8482 or jonathan.rivoli@bismarcktribune.com)