Parties gearing up for presidential caucuses

Published 10:26 am Friday, February 1, 2008

Presidential primary voters in Iowa caucus, voters in New Hampshire cast ballots, and in a 10 day span later this month, voters in Washington can do both.

It’s unusual. It’s confusing. It’s actually pretty far out there, experts have said.

It’s also a revitalized system. In 2004, the state’s primary was canceled by the state legislature, which called it unnecessary.

By creating two avenues for voters to pick candidates, it is possible that undecided Republican voters could caucus for one candidate, but vote for another. Both actions carry weight.

That’s not true for the Democrats. While the Democrats are holding a primary election, it doesn’t count for anything. It’s purely symbolic. A Democratic voter must turn out to a caucus in order for his or her opinion to be officially registered.

The Republicans, however, will assign just over half of their delegates from the caucuses, and the remainder from the primary.

In 2004, the legislature cited the Democratic party’s dismissal of the caucus, and the lack of a serious Republican contender as they cancelled the primary.

It is legal for voters to participate in both the primary and the caucus, as long as it is on behalf of the same party both times.

“Every voter matters because what we are really doing is determining the electability of presidential frontrunners,” Secretary of State Sam Reed said in a statement. “People vote with their hearts and minds. It is chemistry, not arithmetic, that will determine our next chief executive.”

Because the races are so tight, caucus attendance is expected to balloon this year, party officials in the 21st and 32nd districts said recently.

“We are expecting a good turnout,” said Stephanie Harris, the Democratic party’s corresponding secretary in the 32nd. “The precinct caucuses are, to me, the true grass roots of democracy. Everybody from the community gets to go, and they can say their piece.”

The 21st district represents parts of Edmonds, Lynnwood and Mukilteo. The 32nd covers parts of Shoreline, Edmonds, Lake Forest Park and Kenmore.

This year, 32nd district Democrats are expanding from just one caucus site to three: Westgate Elementary, 9601 220th St SW, Edmonds; Chase Lake Elementary, 21603 84th Ave. W, Edmonds; and the Madrona K-8 School, 9300 236th St., Edmonds.

Republican voters in the 32nd can caucus at the Aurora Church of the Nazarene, at 1900 N. 175th St., Shoreline.

Democratic voters in the 21st district will caucus at Kamiak High School, 10801 Harbour Pointe Blvd., Mukilteo.

The 21st district Republican caucuses will be at the Silver Creek Community Church, 5326 176th St. SW, Lynnwood.

More information about caucus sites can be found at the state party Web sites, www.wa-democrats.org, or www.wsrp.org.

Officials from both parties encouraged voters to come out and caucus.

“A lot of folks haven’t had the opportunity to go through this before,” said Richard Wright, chair of the 21st district Democrats. “There are some mystical things about caucuses that really aren’t there in regular (voting systems).”

Reporter Chris Fyall: 425-673-6525 or cfyall@heraldnet.com