GOP Prepares For Caucuses
Unlike year past, Idaho GOP voters won’t be heading to their usual polling locations. This year, Republicans throughout the state will choose the presidential nominee through a caucus instead of a primary.
In a caucus, everyone votes at the same time ? this year, on March 6 at 7 p.m.
On election day we’re used to deciding what time we want to vote, but in a caucus that time is chosen for us and we can’t vote absentee.
For most counties, the caucus will be in one place ? not at precinct locations. For example, Bonneville County Republicans will vote at the Civic Auditorium in Idaho Falls. In Madison County, Republicans will meet at the high school.
State caucus chairman Ron Nate said it will be very different from what voters are used to.
“You have to be here at seven. That will hurt turnout a little bit,? Nate said. But on the other hand we have already had all four candidates visit Idaho there is a lot of excitement so I think that will drive up turnout.”
If you aren’t already registered county clerks and other volunteers will help voters register and declare a party affiliation.
But with thousand voting all at once it will take a little more time to vote.
“In our meeting we will have a representative speak in behalf of each of the candidates and that’s all that will happen before the voting process,” Madison County Republican Chairwoman Elaine King said.
The format will differ from county to county. In Madison County voters write on paper ballots, in Bonneville county they drop a token in a box.
And voters will keep on voting until a candidate wins a majority.
“We will keep doing it in rounds and each round,? Nate said. The lowest voted is eliminated until we are left with two standing and one is bound to get above 50 percent.”
But caucus organizers say the meeting will be much more than just casting your vote.
“It will be a fun night as well,? King said. ?We will have music and a little entertainment.”
?We are putting the party back into party,? Nate said. ?It’s an event there is entertainment there is excitement and we are hoping to build a grassroots effort out of this too.”
Organizers recommend arriving to the caucus early, especially if you are not a registered Republican.
To find out where your county caucus will be held, visit idgop.org.
