2016 US Presidential Elections - Democratic Party Caususes in Hawaii, Alaska and Washington Saturday March 26,2016

Democrats will hold presidential contests in Hawaii, Alaska and Washington state on Saturday March 26,2016, three states expected to be friendlier to Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders than former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

There are 142 total delegates at stake Saturday, 16 in Alaska, 24 in Hawaii and 101 in Washington.

All three will hold caucuses to choose delegates -- a method that has favored Bernie Sanders in the past -- instead of primaries. 

Alaska and Washington are also largely white and rural, demographics that typically have given Bernie Sanders a boost 

Hillary Clinton heads into the weekend with 1,229 pledged delegates to Bernie Sanders' 925, not counting the superdelegates

But with Hillary Clinton leading Sanders by about 300 pledged delegates, and because none of the contests are winner-take-all, Bernie Sanders needs stunning wins in each state to give the Hillary Clinton campaign any real anxiety about the outcome of the race. 

Alaska (16) - Delegates will be rewarded by state House districts and determined by a caucus system. Candidates must receive at least 15% of votes in a district to be granted any delegates. 

Washington (101) - Washington uses a mixed system to appoint delegates from the caucus results by congressional district. Registered voters who attend must publicly attest to being Democrats if they want to participate in the caucuses

Hawaii (25) - Hawaii Democrats also hold caucuses, but unlike Alaska and Washington, it is considered a presidential preference poll and conducted by secret ballot. Delegates are doled out proportionately.

Bernie Sanders Defeats Hillary Clinton in Alaska and Washington

Bernie Sanders soundly defeated Hillary Clinton in Alaska and Washington's Democratic caucuses Saturday, giving his campaign a much-needed boost as he seeks to disrupt Clinton's path to the party's presidential nomination.

Television networks gave Bernie Sanders 81.6 % against 18.4 % for Hillary Clinton in the western state, where 16 delegates were up for grabs. 

And in Washington, another comfortable win, as Bernie Sanders took 72.6 % to Clinton's 27.2 %

Bernie Sanders declared he has the political momentum to claw back Hillary Clinton's handsome lead in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, after scoring a trio of big wins.

The Vermont senator breathed fresh life into his campaign for the White House with a clean sweep in caucuses in Alaska, Hawaii and Washington on Saturday March 26,2016

Fresh from his trio of wins, Sanders said on Sunday the victories may sway the Democratic power brokers to back him in his race against Clinton.