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Sanders wins Democrats Abroad global primary

March 21, 2016

Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during a campaign stop at the Pinkerton Academy Stockbridge Theatre, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, in Derry, N.H. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

FILE — Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., speaks during a campaign stop at the Pinkerton Academy Stockbridge Theatre, Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, in Derry, N.H. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Bernie Sanders scored a big win Monday in the Democrats Abroad global primary.

The party said 34,570 U.S. citizens living abroad in more than 170 countries cast votes by Internet, mail and in person from March 1-8. Sanders received 69 percent of the vote to earn nine of the 13 delegates at stake. Hillary Clinton won 31 percent, picking up four delegates.

Sanders and Clinton “engaged with overseas Americans like no other presidential campaigns have before, each addressing the unique issues that face Americans abroad,” said Katie Solon, international chair of Democrats Abroad. She said voters cast ballots in person in 38 countries, leading to turnout that was up 50 percent from 2008.

It’s an important victory for Sanders, who was swept by Clinton in five states last Tuesday.

Still, Sanders continues to trail Clinton by more than 300 delegates.

Clinton now has 1,163 delegates to Sanders’ 844, based on primaries and caucuses.

When including superdelegates, or party leaders who can support any candidate, her lead is even bigger — 1,630 to Sanders’ 870. It takes 2,383 delegates to win the nomination.

Halfway into the primary season, the Democratic presidential race now moves to Western states this week that Sanders is counting on winning to cut into Clinton’s lead. On Tuesday, Democrats vote in Arizona, Idaho and Utah, with 131 delegates up for grabs; on Saturday, Alaska, Hawaii and Washington hold caucuses with 142 delegates at stake.

“We are waging a strong campaign and plan to take it all the way to the Democratic National Convention this summer,” Sanders said after his win Monday.