Long lines at some Idaho GOP polling locations

BOISE – Some voters in Idaho’s GOP presidential primary are already facing long lines at the polls.

Election workers at one site in Garden City – near the state’s capitol of Boise – said they had people waiting in line when the doors opened at 8 a.m. Another polling station in Nampa had to call in extra workers to help after more voters than expected showed up to cast their ballots.

The primary is closed to everyone except for registered members of the Republican party. Idaho residents can register as Republican at the polls, however, right until they close at 8 p.m.

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.