On Martin Luther King Jr. weekend I flew home to Reno to participate in my first presidential caucus. This year, Nevada was selected as the third state to vote on the presidential nominations, after Iowa and New Hampshire. Nevada was selected to represent the views of a western state as well as a state with a substantial minority population (Latino) and a strong union presence in our largest city, Las Vegas, home to 70 percent of the state’s population.

In my county, there were 80 caucus locations in which neighborhood precincts were directed to vote. My precinct turned out three times as many Democrats as expected, probably due to the excitement generated by the candidates’ multiple visits over the past few months.

Two and a half hours after the caucus started, I was shocked as I watched CNN project that Hillary Clinton would win. I had just returned from my precinct location, the downtown Reno library, where Barack Obama was the victor with almost twice as many supporters as Clinton. I had talked to friends and family in other precincts, and they all reported the same results—Obama had won each of their individual precincts. Frustrated, I asked my mom how this was possible. How could Clinton be ahead by over 4 percent, when it seemed like Obama was the victor in the northern part of the state?

“Well, Clark County messes up every election,” my mom responded. She explained that with such a large percentage of the population, what happens in Las Vegas doesn’t generally stay in Vegas—the city controls the outcome of the election for the entire state.

Interestingly, while Clinton won the majority of the votes in Nevada, primarily in Clark County (Las Vegas), Obama won by sizeable margins in almost every other part of the state. This is where it is handy to understand how a caucus is different from a regular presidential primary, because although CNN, MSNBC and FOX all reported a “big win” for Clinton, Obama actually won more national delegates in Nevada.

Delegates are determined based on congressional districts, and some of these districts are weighed more heavily than others. This is especially important in a state like Nevada, because otherwise each election would be decided by Las Vegas, leaving the less populated areas in the state without a voice. In Congressional District 2, which makes up Washoe (my home county) and the northern rural counties, Obama won four delegates and Clinton won only two. Clark County consists of two congressional districts, where Obama and Clinton each won five delegates. At the end of the day Obama had won 13 national delegates and Clinton won 12.

Regardless of who got the most delegates or who won the majority of the vote, the importance of the early Nevada and Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary seems to be who gets the “Big Mo.” Although Obama won in Iowa, the momentum did not carry him to victory in New Hampshire. Perhaps Clinton’s “win” in Nevada will not be as powerful as she hopes in South Carolina, or the next 16 Democratic primary states to vote.

I personally found the caucus to be a wonderful experience where I was able to connect on a civic level with my neighbors. I arrived early to my precinct location and stood outside, helping distribute stickers and signs to fellow supporters of my candidate, while also trying to persuade undecided voters.

Once the caucus started, each candidate group literally stood in different areas of the room and their votes were counted. For the first round, each candidate must get at least 15 percent of the vote to be considered “viable.” Based on my caucus population, that meant at least 28 people. After round one, Kucinich and Edwards did not make the cut, leaving followers of Obama and Clinton to try to persuade the Kucinich and Edwards supporters to join their own respective groups. Another count was taken, and based on the number of supporters in each group, Obama won seven delegates from my precinct and Clinton won four.

Nevada voters are now debating in local newspapers and blogs about the virtues of a caucus over a primary. Many find the caucus process too disorganized and raucous, and wish to return to a primary. Others find the caucus invigorating and exciting, enjoying the opportunity to discuss national politics with their neighbors.

I believe that the caucus system is the way to go, because political parties are responsible for funding them. Since presidential nominations are party politics, it should be the Democratic and Republican parties who sponsor the nomination process. In Nevada, the state legislature pays for a primary election, which costs about $2 million. With so many other areas in need of funding, such as K-12 education, higher education and health and human services, Nevada can’t afford to spend its taxpayer dollars on a partisan political process.

Moreover, I found the caucus process to be much more enjoyable and inspiring than the normal ballot-casting method used in a primary. The enthusiasm I felt from my fellow caucus participants and the remarkable caucus turnout on a statewide level has given me hope for the future of democracy in Nevada and nationally.