COLORADO PRECINCT CAUCUSES
WHAT IS A PRECINCT CAUCUS?
A precinct caucus is a meeting of members of a political party to nominate candidates, write platforms and elect delegates to countywide party conventions that are held in even numbered years. Caucuses are held in homes, schools, churches or other gathering places convenient to a voter’s home or residence. Today, however, most are held in larger facilities to ensure the meeting place to accessible to all.
While some states conduct presidential primary elections, other states, like Colorado, conduct precinct caucuses to voice their choice for a presidential candidate. As opposed to a primary election, caucuses allow party members to participate at a grassroots level. Besides nominating candidates to represent the Party in every partisan race on that year’s ballot, the precincts conduct critical Party business. They elect (up to two) precinct committee people (later ratified by the county’s central committee.) who represent the precinct at high-level meetings and assemblies and educate voters in their precinct on the upcoming election. The caucus participants consider positions on issues to be included in the Party’s platform, they can sign up to be election judges, and find out how to get involved in campaigns and Party activities.
The precinct caucuses this year will be held by the Colorado Democrat, Republican and American Constitution political parties.
· The Republican caucus will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, February 7, 2012
· The Democrat and American Constitution Party caucuses will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday
March 6, 2012
WHO CAN ATTEND A CAUCUS?
Anyone who is a registered voter in the major parties (Democrat, Republican and American Constitution) can attend and participate. Colorado does not allow unaffiliated (Independent) voters to participate in the caucus system. To participate, you must have registered to vote as a Republican by December 7, 2011 or by February 6, 2012 for Democrats and American Constitution parties. There are two exceptions: if you turn 18 or become a US citizen during the two-months prior to the caucuses.
If you are not registered to vote, or if you registered as an independent, you will not be eligible to participate in a party caucus.
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HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF I AM REGISTERED TO VOTE?
Arapahoe County residents: go to the Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder’s web site, www.arapahoevotes.com. Click on the “register/verify registration” link and follow directions. Phone: 303-795-4511.
Douglas County residents: go to the Douglas County Clerk and Recorder’s web site, www.douglas.co.us/clerk/index.html. Click on the “Am I Registered to Vote?” link and follow directions.
Phone: 303-660-7444.
WHAT IS MY PRECINCT NUMBER? WHY DO I NEED ONE?
You need your precinct number to find the location of your precinct caucus. Basically a precinct is a district or area designated by a city or county in which a voter lives and votes. There are over 3,500 precincts in Colorado. When you register to vote, you are sent a voter registration card. That card has a 10 digit number that lists your elected officials, your polling place and your precinct number. The precinct number is the last three numbers.
Because of the changes caused by the 2011 redistricting/reapportionment process, the precincts may have changed. The Arapahoe County Clerk mailed new cards to Arapahoe County Residents in January 2012 listing your new precinct number. Douglas County will send out cards to Douglas County residents by February 1, 2012.
You can also determine your precinct number through the Secretary of State’s website
at the exact page, www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/vote/VoterHome.html
Or call your County Clerk
Arapahoe County Clerk: 303-795-4511
Douglas County Clerk: 303-660-7444.
HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN A CAUCUS?
Just show up and check in. The first order of business is to elect a caucus chair and secretary. Agendas vary, but the main activities will be voting on a presidential candidate, electing delegates to the countywide party meetings and considering resolutions. Other business usually includes the recruitment of volunteers for various party committees.
Often, the caucuses will conduct their presidential preference poll immediately after electing the chair and secretary. This will be done to meet press and media deadlines. People are also invited to speak on behalf of their favorite candidate before the vote is recorded. The final vote will be used to calculate how many delegates supporting a given candidate go on to the next level of meetings - the countywide party convention.
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CONTACTS FOR CAUCUS TIME AND LOCATIONS
Arapahoe County Democrats: www.arapahoedems.org. Phone: 303-338-1202.
Arapahoe County Republicans www.arapahoerepublicans.org. Phone: 303-779-1115.
Douglas County Republicans: www.dcgop.org Phone: 303-730-0100.
Douglas County Democrats: www.douglasdemocrats.org Phone: 303-539-9048
American Constitution Party: www.americanconstitutionparty.com Phone: 303-332-5113
Questions: Call the political parties listed above or the League of Women Voters of Arapahoe County, 303-730-2356
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