LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Local supporters of former President Donald Trump lined up hours in advance to hear him speak in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The former president is rallying supporters at Big League Dreams ahead of the Republican caucus on Thursday, Feb. 8.
Saturday was also the first day of early voting for the presidential nomination process — a process that has proved confusing for many Republican voters.
That's because the former president's name doesn't appear on the primary election ballot sent to all active registered Democrats and Republicans in the state.
Those who wish to cast a vote for Trump will have to attend the private caucus run by the Nevada Republican Party on Feb. 8. To vote in that contest, you have to attend a local precinct starting at 5 p.m.
The results of the caucus will ultimately award Nevada's 26 delegates to the national convention in mid-July.
During his visit in Las Vegas Trump told his supports to not "worry" about the primary and instead focus on the Republican caucus.
"Don't waste your time in the primary, waste all your time on caucus," said Trump. "The primary doesn't mean anything it's psychologically maybe a little bit about two percent but it doesn't mean anything."
As the former president was starting to give his speech, a group of protesters were kicked out of the venue as his supporters chanted U.S.A.
Trump touched on several issues including crime, critical race theory, election security, the Ukraine war and border security.
"Texas will be given full support and I will deploy all necessary and law enforcement resources to seal up the final section of border," said Trump.
He also went after his lone Republican opponent Nikki Haley.
"Nikki Haley have you ever herd of her? I didn't know she was still campaigning. She was just endorsed by Liz Cheney, can you believe it? If Liz Cheney ever endorsed me I would say, 'No, I don't want it.'"
Trump supports believe he could bring change to border security and the economy.
“I am not against immigration but I am against illegal immigration because you don’t know who it is, you don’t know what they are going to do," said Cathy Barns.
“I witnessed the economy before and now. I think from my experience, we are suffering now," said Jamila Tate.
With the start of early voting for the Presidential Preference Primary, campaign activity is heating up in Southern Nevada.
Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to speak Saturday afternoon at IBEW Local 365 in the easy valley. This will be Harris' second rally in Southern Nevada this month.
If you're looking to check your voter registration or find a polling precinct or caucus location, we've collected more resources here.
