Q&A: The Nebraska Democratic caucuses are today. Here's everything you need to know

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/news/politics/q-a-the-nebraska-democratic-caucuses-are-saturday-here-s/article_2d0833e8-e244-11e5-a719-f3ecc0e0cdd2.html

POSTED: SATURDAY, MARCH 5, 2016 12:00 AM | UPDATED: 12:40 AM, SAT MAR 5, 2016.
By Robynn Tysver / World-Herald staff writer

Get ready, Nebraska Democrats, for your moment in the presidential spotlight.

Today is caucus day in the Cornhusker State, giving its Democrats a voice in the presidential nomination battle between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. They will divvy up 25 national delegates based on the vote.

It also is a day of pure partisan bliss for the state’s Democrats, offering a chance to mingle with like-minded friends and neighbors at schools and union halls across the state. For at least one day, they can forget how much they are outnumbered in Nebraska by Republicans.

It’s only the third time that Nebraska Democrats have held caucuses, and it’s been four years since the last time. So here are answers to some questions about the process:

Q. What are caucuses?
A. First off, they aren’t an election. There will be no ballots, polling booths or election commissioners. They are purely a party function. At their core, they are a gathering of Democrats at sites across the state, where they will be asked to tell party officials whom they favor as their party’s nominee.

FULL story at link.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. Since when did we get so many caucuses?

I thought there were only 3 on the Dem side, but it seems like every second or third state is a caucus now. Is that because primary voting numbers have collapsed because people don't feel voting makes any difference any more?

[Omaha Steve]

2. State law says the NE Primary must be held in May

By then the outcome is usually decided. So to move up the date to get involved and avoid the law, state parties are adopting caucuses.

There will still be a May primary with Hillary and Bernie on the ballot by law, but it will not count for anything. The primary will still be for all other state and local offices. There is only 1 D running for Congress in our district, so he is in.

OS