Bernie Sanders Wins Wyoming Democratic Caucus 2016 [UPDATED]

Bernie Sanders was declared the winner in the 2016 Wyoming Democratic caucus keeping his wave of momentum alive with the caucus being his seventh victory in a row. The win was no surprise for the Vermont senator who was expected to win Wyoming being a Western caucus state with a largely white electorate.

Latest numbers from the AP (97 percent reporting):

Sanders: 56 percent

Clinton: 44 percent

Democrats gathered across the state to allocate 14 of the state's pledged delegates. Wyoming has 4 superdelegates that have already backed Clinton. While the win keeps the Sanders campaign alive it does not do much to affect Clinton's overall delegate lead ahead of the key New York primary where 291 delegates are at stake. The primary will take place April 19.

Both Sanders and Clinton have been campaigning aggressively in the state ahead of the primary with both candidates making appearances in New York City. Both campaigns have also agreed to a debate at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on April 14 ahead of the primary.

An Emerson College poll released Friday showed Clinton leading in her home state but Sanders is closing the gap. Clinton leads among likely Democratic primary voters 56 percent to 38 percent.

Still the state is expected to go to Clinton who has several key endorsements including that of New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. 

UPDATE 2:45 p.m. (MT): Bernie Sanders is the projected winner of the 2016 Wyoming Democratic caucus, according to the AP and MSNBC. With 87 percent reporting, Sanders has 56 percent of the vote while Hillary Clinton comes in with 44 percent of the vote. Sanders is expected to get eight of the state's 14 pledged delegates while the remaining six will go to Clinton.

UPDATE 2:20 p.m.(MT): With 61 percent reporting, Bernie Sanders is leading with 56 percent of the vote while Hillary Clinton trails with 43 percent of the vote, according to the AP.

UPDATE 1:45 p.m. (MT): Bernie Sanders is leading Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Wyoming Democratic caucus. According to the AP, with 35 percent reporting, Sanders has 54 percent of the vote and Clinton trails behind with 45 percent.

UPDATE 12 p.m. (MT): Democrats across the state have gathered at caucus locations. Photos from various venues show large voter turnouts.

UPDATE 11 a.m. (MT): Caucusing in now underway in Wyoming. All residents in line by 11 a.m. can participate in the caucus.

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Wyoming Democrats caucus Saturday to pick their state's winner in the 2016 presidential nominating contest and even with a lack of polling, experts already predict a victory for Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton. The win would add to the momentum the Sanders campaign has picked up making it his seventh win in a row.

As explained by Politico, Wyoming has the ingredients for a Sanders victory being a Western caucus state with a largely white electorate. Wyoming resembles Idaho and Utah, both states where Sanders won landslide victories over Clinton.

• Return to Patch for results as soon as they are pulled.

The state's 23 counties will hold their own conventions to assign the state's 14 pledged delegates. Wyoming has four superdelegates that have already backed Clinton. While the event is open to the public, only those who registered as Democrats by March 25 will be allowed to vote.

• Click here to find your caucus location.

Doors open at 9 a.m. and residents need to be signed in or in line by 11 a.m. Party officials advise residents to arrive early. Turnout is expected to be at least as big as it was in 2008.

After winning the Wisconsin primary on Tuesday, Sanders delivered his victory speech at the University of Wyoming in Laramie. The Clinton campaign has not ignored the state ahead of the caucus. Former President Bill Clinton gave a campaign speech on behalf of his wife in Cheyenne on Monday.

The Sanders campaign has also outspent Clinton in the state, according to Politico. Clinton has the support of prominent Democrats in the state including former Gov. Mike Sullivan, former Secretary of State Kathy Karpan and state party Chairwoman Ana Cuprill. She also has the support of The Northern Arapaho Business Council and leaders of the Eastern Shoshone tribe.

However, the victory will not be too advantageous for the Sanders campaign. The DailyKos estimates a 10-4 win for the Vermont Senator at best cutting into Clinton's delegate lead by only six ahead of the key New York primary that will be held April 19. The win will however help keep the Sanders campaign going and help with fundraising.

Clinton leads Sanders by 250 pledged delegates going into Saturday, according to the AP delegate tracker. When counting superdelegates, Clinton leads Sanders by 680 delegates.

Image Credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr Creative Commons