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Posted Jan 29, 2008 at 03:30pm by Lisa Dethloff My fellow Americans: 2008 is a year of many events: the Olympics, an extra day in February, and most importantly – ELECTIONS. For those of you who know me, I am a political junkie. I love government, politics, campaigns, advertising and yard signs. For example, you will see me at the Kansas State Fair this year taking samples of campaign brochures from the various candidates and political parties and studying them for spelling mistakes, format and content. Yes that is fun for me. We shall discuss possible treatments for my “illness” at another time.
However, we as YPers have the opportunity to participate in a unique process on February 5 or February 9, depending on your political party affiliation: Presidential Caucuses. The Hutchinson News ran a very good article earlier last week explaining the system, but I thought I would try to explain too. The purpose of a caucus/primary is to determine the number of delegates each presidential candidate will receive during the nominating process.
For example, to win the Republican nomination for President, a candidate must receive votes from 1,191 delegates (total number of delegates is 2,380). To win the Democratic nomination, a candidate must received votes from 2,025 delegates (total number of delegates is 4,049). While the candidates receive delegate votes throughout the primary season, the votes are formally cast at the respective political party conventions.
Yes, I may host watch parties for the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis/St. Paul in September and the Democratic National Convention in Denver in late August. Usually the State of Kansas engages in a presidential primary system. However last year, the Kansas legislature decided not to appropriate the money for the contest. According to The Hutchinson News, the total cost would have been around $2 million. So the Kansas Democratic Party and Kansas Republican Party decided to hold caucuses.
If you are a registered Republican or Democrat, you should participate in the caucus system. It will be your first opportunity to shape our country’s future in the world of presidential politics.
Here are some basic rules:
How to Participate in the Reno County Democratic Caucus on Tuesday, February 5, 2008– From The Hutchinson News
• Eligibility: Anyone who will be 18 by Nov. 4, Election Day, can participate. Also, a participant must be a registered Democrat and a resident of the state senate district in which the caucus is held. Voters registered as Republicans or unaffiliated can switch their party at the caucus site and take part.
• Location: In the 34th Senate District - Reno County - the caucus will be at Memorial Hall, 101 S. Walnut. • Time: Registration at caucus sites will start at 6 p.m. and end at 7 p.m. Voters must be in line by 7 p.m.
• How it will work: The caucus chairman will appoint a secretary and inform voters they have up to 30 minutes to split into preference groups. Using the caucus registration rolls, the chairman will determine the 15 percent threshold of support needed for a candidate to continue in the process. "A reasonable amount of time" will be allowed for participants to change their preference group. When the final vote count is announced, participants will sign a sheet for their candidate or "uncommitted."
How to Participate in the Reno County Republican Caucus on Saturday, February 9, 2008– From The Hutchinson News
• Eligibility: Any voter who was registered as a Republican by Jan. 25. Important: State-issued photo identification - such as a driver's license - must be presented at the caucus and the ID must match the address on voter registration rolls.
• Location: Blue Dragon Room at Hutchinson Community College's Parker Student Union.
• Time: Check-in begins at 9:30 a.m., with the caucus scheduled to start at 10 a.m. CST.
• How it will work: The caucus chairman will open the session, and representatives from the campaigns will be allowed to speak. Ten minutes will be allowed per candidate. After the speeches, participants will vote by secret ballot. They will vote only once and for only one candidate, and no advance voting will be allowed. The caucus chairman will announce the results. Results from all caucus locations must be submitted to the Kansas Secretary of State's office by 5 p.m.
If you need more information you can also check out the following websites: Kansas Republican Party: http://www.ksgopcaucus.org/ and the Kansas Democratic Party: http://www.ksdp.org/SuperTuesday Comments
Wow, You do have an illness. |
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