Caucus vs Primary

In this crazy, unpredictable 2008 presidential race, the Democrats and Republicans have had difficulties choosing a clear front-runner, or a candidate that will represent the so-called ideals of its party. Delegate counts vary widely from network to network, and candidate to candidate. In part, this is based on the differences between caucuses and primaries. These are two very different methods of electing the two main party candidates that will run in the general election in November 2008.

Each of the major political parties, Republicans and Democrats, will hold a convention in late summer at which they will select a presidential candidate to run for election. Generally, the parties know well in advance of the conventions who they will choose to run for president, as well as who that person's vice-presidential running mate will be. This year, however, the Democratic race is unbelievably tight. No front-runner has emerged yet between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, in a historic contest. In the Republican race, John McCain has finally been tapped as the right's candidate, but not necessarily with the full support of his party, as some staunch conservatives complain that he does not reflect true Republican values.

Unlike the privacy of a voting booth, a caucus is a gathering of members of a political party - either Democrats or Republicans - in which they choose the candidate they wish to nominate. The political party announces the date, time and location of a meeting at which the candidates will be discussed. Any voter registered with the party may attend. The candidates are discussed and debated, and delegates are usually chosen to represent the state's interests at the national convention. Most will commit to support one of the candidates, but some will remain undecided.

Caucuses were the original method of choosing party candidates. However, they have declined in use and popularity since the primary was introduced in the early 1900s. It was thought that the primary system was a more democratic method of allowing across-the-board voter participation in the candidate selection than the caucus system.

In the 2008 election cycle, the Iowa caucuses were the first to occur. The Democrats in that state decided to support Barack Obama as their candidate in these caucuses. On Super Tuesday on February 4, 2008, the state of Idaho also held caucuses and the Democrats nominated Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton.

Each state makes its own decision as to whether to hold a caucus or a primary. Some have difficulty making up their mind. In Washington State, the state legislature decided that the state would change from a caucus system to a primary. However, the Washington State Democratic Party steadfastly decided to choose their delegates through caucuses, instead. Confusingly, votes cast for a Democratic candidate in the state primary will not count toward the delegate selection because the delegates will be selected by the caucuses. With Democratic races so tight, the confusion factor will likely be frustrating to voters and the candidates alike.

In states that do not hold caucuses to nominate the presidential candidate(s), presidential primary elections will be held. Note that, as in Washington State, one party may elect its candidate by primary election (Republicans), while the other party may nominate its candidate through the caucus system (Democrats), or vice-versa. These may or may not occur on the same date.

A primary election is generally what you might expect. Voters cast ballots for the candidate that they wish to elect, either in voting booths, or by absentee ballot, as permitted by law. There are different types of primary elections allowed in each state, however.

Closed elections mean that you cannot vote for a candidate in the opposite party. If you are a declared Democrat, you can only vote for a Democratic candidate.

Open elections are those in which you can vote for a candidate in any party. Only one vote can be cast, of course. No party affiliation need be made or adhered to.

Blanket primary. This type of election allows voters to cast vote for one candidate per office, regardless of party.

This question is probably the most critical - at least this year for the Democratic candidates. The Republican Party's method is relatively simple: it allows states to decide whether to use a winner-take-all method of awarding delegates, or the proportional method used by the Democrats.

The proportional method used by the Democratic Party divides up delegates among candidates based on number of primary votes, and overall support of caucus-goers. Thus, if a state has 10 delegates up for grabs, and there are 3 candidates on the ballot, if Candidate A received 60% of the votes, she would receive 6 delegates. If Candidate B received 30% of the votes, he would receive 3 delegates. Candidate C, with only 10% of the votes, would have 1 delegate.

The differing counts you may be hearing regarding the total number of delegates for each candidate is partially due to the fact that some caucus-attendees are undecided on the candidate that they will support at the national convention. Others have thrown their support to candidates that are no longer in the race, like Senator Edwards. As a result, those delegates are basically not counted yet.

The impact of "super delegates" is also a factor in the Democratic race. Nearly 40% of the delegates required for a nomination (842) are not even elected. Elected leaders, former presidents, governors, and "party elders" automatically get a say in nominating the party's candidate. These super delegates are uncommitted and can change their mind. Current counts include differing numbers for Clinton and Obama based on the super delegate counts.

Republicans do not have a super delegate system.

In short, with the race as tight as it is right now, it may be weeks before the counts are complete and a clear leader emerges on the Democratic side. Neither candidate appears ready to step aside yet. So, it looks like we'll continue down the list of caucuses and primary contests - state-by-state, as we come closer to the national conventions.

Source: Wikipedia (date: February 8, 2008)

• Alabama - Open Primary (2/5).
• Alaska - Caucuses (2/5).
• Arizona - Closed PPE (2/5).
• Arkansas - Open Primary (2/5).
• California - Primary (2/5).
• Colorado - Caucuses (2/5).
• Connecticut - Closed Primary (2/5).
• Delaware - Primary (2/5).
• District of Columbia - Primary (2/12).
• Florida - Primary (1/29).
• Georgia - Open Primary (2/5).
• Hawaii - Open Caucuses (3/2).
• Idaho - Open Primary (5/27).
• Illinois - Primary (2/5).
• Indiana - Open Primary (5/6).
• Iowa - Caucus (1/3).
• Kansas - Caucuses (2/9).
• Kentucky - Closed Primary (5/20)
• Louisiana - Caucus (2/9). Deadline (1/11).
• Maine - Caucuses (February 1 through February 3).
• Maryland - Closed Primary (2/12).
• Massachusetts - Semi-Closed Primary (2/5).
• Michigan - Open Primary (1/15).
• Minnesota - Open Caucuses (2/5 *).
• Mississippi - Open Primary (3/11).
• Missouri - Open Primary (2/5).
• Montana - Open Primary (6/3).
• Nebraska - Primary (5/13 *).
• Nevada - Caucuses (1/19).
• New Hampshire - Semi-Open Primary (1/8).
• New Jersey - Primary (2/5). .
• New Mexico - Republican Primary (6/3). Democrat closed caucus 2/5/08
• New York - Closed Primary (2/5).
• North Carolina - Primary (5/6 *).
• North Dakota - Open Caucuses (2/5).
• Ohio - Semi-Open Primary (3/4).
• Oklahoma - Closed Primary (2/5).
• Oregon - Closed Primary (5/20).
• Pennsylvania - Primary (4/22).
• Rhode Island - Primary (3/4). .
• South Carolina - Open Primary (1/19-R) (1/26-D).
• South Dakota - Closed Primary (6/3).
• Tennessee - Open Primary (2/5).
• Texas - Semi-Open Primary (3/4) & Closed Caucus (begins 3/4, schedule based on party rules).
• Utah - Closed Primary (2/5).
• Vermont - Open Primary (3/4).
• Virginia - Open Primary (2/12).
• Washington - Open Caucus (2/9) & Primary (2/19). This is a two step process.
• West Virginia -Closed Primary (18 Delegates at the State Convention on 2/5 (ask the state party for details), 12 Delegates for the 5/13 Primary).
• Wisconsin - Open Primary (2/19).
• Wyoming - Caucus (3/8).