The street was jammed with cars and pedestrians jogging across the road to avoid oncoming traffic. Many men and women were waiting in their cars, listening to the radio while switching out placeholders in the seemingly-endless line. Those waiting in line talked of the crisp, cool air and the need for a little more security. Shouldn’t there be police?

Inside the cramped, stuffy one-story building, confusion was apparent and frustration threatened to surface. More than 100 people crammed into the space within minutes, wondering aloud where to go and what to do.

If it sounds like a concert or a raucous town hall meeting, think again. Although aspects of both appeared, it was Tuesday night’s Democratic caucus that drew thousands to local polling places across Texas.

When primary voting ended March 4, many Democrats descended once again on their local polling places to attend the party’s precinct meetings or caucuses. The Texas Two-step, as it is not-so-affectionately known, is the complex nomination process by which Texans select their presidential preferences. First, voters cast a ballot in the primary, which will allocate 126 delegates (that’s step one). Then, they are invited to caucus for the candidate of their choice, which nets 67 delegates (that’s step two).

Most voters do not know the complicated rules of Texas’ Democratic Party nomination process, but, nonetheless, many managed to make it out to caucus for their preferred candidates.

Sounds simple enough, but consider those polling places that still had lines of primary voters at 7:15 p.m., the designated caucus start time. Tack on another hour for vote tabulation, clean up and caucus set-up, and now there’s an endless stream of excited Democrats waiting in the cold.

As the line begins moving, many are wondering what it’s like inside. With no guidance, caucus-goers asked departing strangers for some insight. “Don’t give up!” one man said. Good advice, but not exactly encouraging.

Finally, upon entry to the cramped foyer, voters begin to rumble about precinct numbers and delegates. Will you stay and choose a delegate? Does my vote count if I sign and leave? Confusion abounds, and poll workers are frenzied and scarce, unable to answer every question.

Pieces of white printer paper are scribbled with ink, earnest attempts at directing voters to the appropriate area of the tiny space. With multiple precincts voting in one undersized, understaffed and overfilled polling place, there are inevitably problems.

Among them? Not enough sign-in sheets, which are used in the official counting of caucus votes. When the carbon-copy sign-in paper runs out, frantic election officials decide that photocopies will be fine. Again, not so encouraging.

When voters are finally able to approach the sign-in sheets, they are instructed to write their names, addresses and their choices for the nomination. Some ask, “Can I just write Hillary?” Others wonder, “Do I have to sign, or can I print?” Although they are simple questions, they have not been widely addressed, either in Texas election literature or by the candidates.

Upon exiting the polling place and breathing in the cool air, many are exhilarated. This process doesn’t happen often, and when it does, it is rarely as meaningful as this year. Others are dumbfounded ­­- a state that has been preparing for this event for months still manages to provide so little guidance, manpower and … carbon paper?

Despite the complicated process, Texas saw record turnout from Democrats on Tuesday.

They arrived early and stayed late, pressed on through long lines and crowded buildings, wore their best supportive T-shirts and buttons and left with feelings of relief and excitement.

A concert? Nope. It was a caucus!

Note: I attended a Democratic caucus at a polling place in south Fort Worth. And yes, it’s all true.

Kara Peterson is an advertising/public relations graduate student from Fort Worth.