What is a Caucus and Why Does Northern Colorado Care?

Littering my Timeline today are two things: the snow in Colorado and the Iowa Caucus.

One I know a lot about (see below). The other I’m not too sure about. After doing some digging, not a lot of people know too much about this very important piece of the 2016 Presidential Election puzzle.

So what’s the difference between a Primary and a Caucus?

Think of everything before the primary as the regular season. Primary time is where you get to vote your candidate into the playoffs. Here we sit. Democrats decide which democratic candidate you want to see run for president and republicans decide which republican candidate you would like to see run for president. Think of primaries as your super organized mom who gives you a rundown of what you will be eating at Thanksgiving dinner. Who will be bringing what? It’s very organized. You go to your local polling place and then cast your vote. The state government foots the bill.

A caucus is more like your undecided friend who, each time you see them on social media, they are either changing their relationship status or flying to a new country. Each caucus has its own set of rules and is kind of all over the place. Unlike a primary, where residents just cast their ballot, a caucus is like happy hour except without the evening ending in karaoke.

You (being the voter) gather with a bunch of like-minded people (democrats with democrats) and decide which candidate to support. However, if you are voting in Colorado this year and you are registered republican, don't worry about your caucus as the Colorado GOP caucus was canceled this year. Because of this move, we will not be one of those pivotal states that everyone has their eye on during Super Tuesday, nor should we be rolling out the red carpet for any republican candidates as they will effectively be swiping left.  For them we have become that guy taking a selfie with his shirt off at the gym who isn't really doing anything.

Who can vote in a caucus?  Only members registered with the political party can participate (if the system is closed).

How is voting done?   Pretty simply-- basically you raise your hand or break off into groups. This bill is paid for by each party.

Here's a date to remember: March 1st,  Super Tuesday.  It's where primaries and caucuses for both parties happen in several states, Colorado being one of those states, minus the GOP caucus.  See above.

I know….it still has me thinking.

I can't wait to get started decoding the Electoral College, Super PACs, and Convention Delegates.

Source:  Too Many.  Why does voting need to be so complicated?
(Colorado Democrats, CO Secretary of State, 2016 Primary Schedule, Colorado Republicans)