It seems like the Republicans aren't even trying in Maine.

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"Unlike Iowa or several other state caucuses, the Maine caucuses are on different days: Republicans on Saturday and Democrats on Sunday. Republicans have 22 caucus locations around the state, while Democrats will have well over 400.

What’s more, absentee ballots are allowed in the caucuses. More than 20,000 of them were submitted by Wednesday’s deadline to the Maine Democratic Party, according to its executive director. Party leadership has said they see this as an omen for high turnout on Sunday.

The Republicans have allowed ballots for active military, disabled veterans, and national guard members."


https://www.bostonglobe.com/news/politics/2016/03/04/depsite-trump-visit-maine-caucuses-expected-low-key-contests/3NrHlKFgaPsyb3VaDE3q2K/story.html#comments

Only 22 Republican caucus locations, but the Democrats have over 400. Democrats allowed all party members the ability the submit absentee ballots (I submitted one myself). Republicans only allowed absentee ballots for active military, disabled veterans, and national guard members. Do they have policies like this in other states or is it just Maine?

[Zing Zing Zingbah]

1. Another article I found with some more info

This article mentions the republicans made some changes to their caucuses in Maine from 2012 because they didn't like the stink Maine republicans made over Ron Paul. Seems like Maine republicans are being punished by their own party, though I doubt most of them even realize it. The party made it difficult for them to participate in their own caucus. 22 locations and no option for absentee ballot for most people forces them to have to drive in, and 22 locations means some people will have to drive quite far to participate.

The democrats actually have over 530 caucus locations, for comparison.


http://www.pressherald.com/2016/02/29/maine-parties-gearing-up-for-unpredictable-caucuses/