North Dakota and Michigan caucus question

[Toucano]

Do Michigan and North Dakota (and any other states that hold a caucus) function the same as Iowa?

Do voters realign themselves if their first choice doesn't meet the 15% viability threshold?

Thanks.

[markus]

1. ND Caucus procedures (from a district caucus manager)

Here's the deal. It's really a straw poll, but we're not calling it that. Anyone who pledges they affiliated in the last election or plans to in the next election comes in, signs-in, and gets a ballot. The mark it, drop it in a borrowed country ballot box.

The results are counted, the 14 pledged delegates from ND are divided proportionally among the candidates getting > 15%. Our actual precint/district caucuses will take place in early March, to select state delegates, etc.

Becuase we dont' have voter registration, our delegates cannot be formally bound to the results. The rules read those 14 delgates will "in all good conscience, reflect the outcome" of the caucus day vote.

It's a funny process, and its new. But it's easier to participate in than an actual caucus, but has most of the benefits of primaries. Voters can drop by anytime between 2 pm and 7 pm CST and vote and take off.


Kerry is going well, as is Clark, who has the support of much of the Democratic establishment (state party, and delegation, but not officially for the latter). Dean was low in the one poll, but our own ID/persuasive calling numbers are, well, nobody's business. But I'm not wearing a long face yet, given that Clark's been on TV for weeks up here, Kerry for a week now, and Dean is spending nothing on paid media.

I'll probably know the results at least as quickly as the wires, and will post if I can get my laptop hooked up at the caucus site. If not, it'll happen when I get home.

If I haven't posted by 11 pm CST, then Dean did better than expected.

:toast:

[Toucano]

2. Thanks markus

I appreciate it.

A five hour window seems a bit short. Oh, well. It's new so we'll see how it goes.

I look forward to the results when you can get them.

[On the Road]

4. Interesting. What is the Difference Between

the straw poll you described and a primary? They seem remarkably similar.

[markus]

9. Our "caucus" (really a sort of straw poll) is run by the party

and not by the state/county. That's what makes it a caucus, rather than a primary, which implies that the state election apparatus collects and counts the votes.

[ajacobson]

3. Mich not like Iowa

Michigan caucuses are not deliberative. They are just polling locations, you vote you go home. In some ways I wish they were like Iowa caucuses, there would be more excitement about the process.

Michigan election law mandates open primaries, and Democratic Party rules don't accept the results of an open primary (state party or DNC rules, dunno), so we do essentially a party-run primary, or caucus. That's how I understand it.

[ScreamingMeemie]

5. Your vote here in Michigan is your vote. Example: Gephardt supporters

who voted early are out of luck. Gephardt may not transfer those votes.

[Toucano]

6. Any idea how many people voted early?

Can people still vote today or is there a shut-off?

[ScreamingMeemie]

7. The last I heard the number was over 10,000 with 8,000 voting

before votes were cast in New Hampshire. Registration for online voting has ended.

[ajacobson]

8. You can still cast your ballot on line

but last Saturday was the deadline for requesting the code or a mail in ballot (the access code&ballot for mail in voters is sent by mail so they had to cut it off early). Walk in voting will be on this Saturday but the polling locations are different from people's regular voting locations so it is problematic.

[bornskeptic]

10. In Washington

we have something similar to Iowa. The link describes the procedure.

http://www.wa-democrats.org/CaucusGuide.php