Caucus Q-and-A
Washington state's precinct caucuses are often poorly attended and poorly understood. This year, hot presidential races in both major parties suggest that the attendance will be way up. Here's an attempt to boost the understanding for those who decide to go.
Q: What's a caucus, anyway?
A: A caucus is a meeting. In this case, it's a meeting of members of a political party in the state's smallest political subdivision, a precinct. In Spokane and most other counties, precincts vary in size, from a few blocks in the center of a city to large rural tracts.
Q: Do I have to be a registered Democrat or Republican to attend?
A: No, because voters in Washington don't register by party. When you arrive and sign in, you'll be asked to state that on this day, for this particular meeting, you consider yourself a member of that party.
Q: What if I'm an independent? Doesn't that violate my constitutional rights?
A: No, because this is a party function, just as selecting the nominee of that party is a party function. Anyone can vote in the general election, but the courts have held that parties have a right to ensure that their members select that party's nominee.
Q: Do I have to be a registered voter?
A: Generally speaking, yes. If you aren't registered but are eligible to register and vote by Nov. 4, you can register to vote and participate at a Democratic caucus. For the Republican caucuses, you must be a current voter.
Q: Can I go to a caucus anywhere?
A: No, you must attend the caucus for the precinct where you live.
Q: Can I participate if I can't make it to the caucus on Saturday?
A: Only in very rare cases. If you're disabled, serving in the military or unable to attend for religious reasons, you can send a proxy. If you're out of town on business, going skiing, have to take the kids to the basketball game, no, you can't send a proxy.
Q: If I already marked my primary ballot and mailed it in, does that cover me for the caucus?
A: No. The two events are separate. For the Democrats, the caucuses are the only way of determining which candidate will receive the delegates needed to secure the nomination. You can vote in the Democratic primary, but it won't affect the party's choice of a nominee. For the Republicans, about half of the delegates will be awarded through the caucus process, and about half will be awarded based on the primary results.
Q: Why do we have both?
A: Washington voters decided they wanted a presidential primary in the early 1990s, so that law is on the books. But the parties can't be forced to use the results to select their nominee, in part because voters don't register by party. State party officials also say they think caucuses generate enthusiasm and help bring activists into the fold.
Q: Does any other state have this crazy of a system?
A: Washington is unique in having a caucus and a primary with the two parties using the results in different ways. In Idaho, Democrats hold county caucuses and Republicans use a primary.
Q: This is nuts. Who do I call to complain?
A: Not the newspaper.
Q: Why are there so many locations?
A: Spokane County has about 285 precincts. Each precinct has both a Democratic and a Republican caucus, and they are located in different places. Some locations will be the caucus site for a dozen or more caucuses; some locations will be the site for a single caucus. Many sites with just one or two precinct caucuses are in a person's home.
Q: Why are there so many more Republican locations?
A: The Republicans have more single caucus locations in homes. Democratic rules require their caucus locations to be accessible to people with disabilities.
Q: What happens at a caucus?
A: Each meeting is a little different, but the rules will be explained when it starts. There likely will be a discussion of the presidential candidates– it can be long or short – and eventually the caucus leader takes a count of how many participants are supporting each candidate. There are rules that determine how that support translates into delegates.
Q: What do those delegates do?
A: They attend more meetings. They go on to a county convention, which can take them to the state convention and ultimately the national convention.
Q: Does anything else happen at the caucuses?
A: Sometimes there are discussions of a wide range of issues, anything from the war in Iraq to global warming to fixing potholes in the streets. You can find more about caucuses and the primary at spokesmanreview.com/elections.
