How the Nevada Caucuses work

[Laura PourMeADrink]

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080109/NEWS19/801090429/1016/NEWS

Parties outline how Nevada's caucuses work
GUY CLIFTON
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 1/9/2008
Video: Republican caucus 101
Video: Democrat caucus 101

Republican and Democratic state party officials want voters to know one important thing about the Jan. 19 caucus.

<snip>

How they work


Republicans: The caucus begins at 9 a.m. Voters arrive at their assigned precinct site and register. Once all caucus attendees have been checked in, the caucus will begin. The first step is to elect a caucus chair to run the meeting. The next order of business will be to elect delegates and alternates to the county convention. Delegates and alternates will support their candidate at the county convention in March.

Any caucus attendee may run and first time caucus-goers are especially encouraged to run. A vote will be taken and the top vote getters are automatically elected.

Next, one representative for each presidential candidate will be given two minutes to speak and make the case for attendees to vote for their candidate. After each campaign speaker is done, ballots will be handed out and votes will be cast. Representatives for each candidate will be allowed to watch the counting of the vote. The vote totals will be announced and then called into the state Republican Party.


Democrats: Party organizers recommend attendees come with a first and second choice of candidates to support. Caucus-goers will divide into groups based on which candidate they support. The groups can then seek to persuade undecided caucus-goers to come to their camp.

To win delegates, each candidate's group must be large enough to obtain "viability." The exact number needed for viability is based on how many delegates are elected by that precinct and how many Democrats show up. If a particular candidate does not have enough supporters to be viable, those supporters must choose a different candidate.

At the end of the process, each viable candidate is assigned a portion of the precinct's delegates based on the number of caucus-goers who supported them.

Who can participate


Republicans: Voters who have registered as Republicans before Dec. 19, 2007 are eligible to participate. In addition, voters who are 17, but who will turn 18 before Nov. 4, 2008, can participate if they register as a Republican.


Democrats: All registered Democrats are eligible to participate. In addition, nonpartisans, Republicans and unregistered voters can register as a Democrat the day of the caucus and participate.

The key for all voters is to make sure they show up at their appropriate caucus location, party officials said.

[SteppingRazor]

1. So, basically, the set up for both parties is pretty similar to Iowa, no? n/t

[Adelante]

3. The plan was designed after Iowa's

Probably a few alterations, but basically meant to work like Iowa's.

[no name no slogan]

4. Looks like your typical nominating/endorsing caucus

I would imagine they'll also endorse for other offices, like US Congress, US Senate, and state legislature, if it's like other caucus states. A lot of people forget about those races in a presidential election year, but those endorsements can carry a lot of weight, too.

[MADem]

2. In other words, campaign organization + effective organizers + artful persuaders

+ being able to attend at a specific time = success.

I'm glad I don't live in a caucus state.

[Egnever]

5. you wouldn't be so glad if you lived in Nevada

This is an attempt to get more people involved in the political process something nevada has historically been lacking. We are on the verge of turning blue now though and this has the potential to push us over the edge.

Caucuses are fun and they get people together to talk to each other about politics something that is sorely lacking in our country as a whole. Its easy to stand back and take pot shots but the reality is that the dem establishment here is trying everything to get people here more involved.

Having lived here for 15 years now I can tell you the difference in the dem party today from even four years ago is staggering. The caucus is a real part of that change and its something you should welcome instead of denigrating.

[Adelante]

10. I admire it

I'm always jealous when Iowa's caucus rolls around. There's a kind of rough democracy taking place we never experience simply casting a ballot. In terms of civic participation, Nevada is also interesting because of the party building you mention. Instead of just party insiders taking part, regular people are getting in there. Chairman Dean should be proud of his work in Nevada and other states.

[MADem]

23. Howard Dean got creamed in Iowa partly because he dissed the caucuses

He said the same thing I'm saying--that they disenfranchise regular voters, that they're dominated by elites, that they are not representative. That's part of the reason why IA fucked him, along with his poor organization there--they didn't appreciate his maligning their billion dollar cash cow...

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B07E2D91F31F93AA35752C0A9629C8B63

Four years ago, Howard Dean denounced the Iowa caucuses as ''dominated by special interests,'' saying on a Canadian television show that they ''don't represent the centrist tendencies of the American people, they represent the extremes.''

Videotapes of the show were broadcast on the NBC Nightly News on Thursday, less than two weeks before the Jan. 19 caucuses, the first contest of the Democratic nominating race. The tapes show Dr. Dean arguing that the lengthy caucus process in which neighbors gather to debate their preferences is inconvenient for ordinary people.

''Say I'm a guy who's got to work for a living, and I've got kids,'' he said on the show on Jan. 15, 2000. ''On a Saturday, is it easy for me to go cast a ballot and spend 15 minutes doing it, or do I have to sit in a caucus for eight hours?''

A moment later, he added, ''I can't stand there and listen to everyone else's opinion for eight hours about how to fix the world.'''

[MADem]

11. Caucuses can also cause people to vote the way their neighbors vote because they don't want to be

seen as different.

Sorry, you won't convince me that they are democratic at all.

One person, one vote, without anyone hectoring or influencing you, that's the system I prefer.

More power to NV and IA, though--it's their system, and if they like it, good for them---but it is one I think sucks, and always will think sucks!

[Egnever]

12. Thats certainly your prerogative.

But frankly anyone who is so weak as to vote one way just because their neighbor is aren't making an informed decision in the first place and are likely to be responsible for a lot of the crap we have put up with for the last 20 years or so.

I think if we want to change this country we need to get people more involved and aware of what is going on getting neighbors together to talk about things while in some cases having the effect you mentioned also forms alliances and friendships that endure beyond the caucuses and promote more community activism.

Walking into a box and hiding does nothing of the sort.

[MADem]

15. They're also disenfranchising in a major way as well.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/02/us/politics/02vote.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&pagewanted=all

This article is a worthwhile read, and sums up my views on the process. I urge you to read the entire thing.

At least "walking into a box and hiding" as you term it, enables EVERYONE to participate, instead of only an elite minority of folks with loose schedules and plenty of time on their hands, no job to go to, no kids or ill relative to care for, who aren't representative of the state as a whole-those poor bastards are out working.

I've got news for you about your weak neighbors, too--people DO "follow the crowd." Just because you scoff at them doesn't make them disappear. They'll go along with the crowd at caucus, and reverse direction in the voting booth.

[Egnever]

20. Entirely possible

And I certainly can understand how caucusses also eliminate the abilty of many to attend that otherwise would do so.

However we are doing ours on a saturday as oposed to mid normal work week for many people and the at large caucuses are also adding an element of allowing people to participate that otherwise would do so.

I expect to see a much larger turnout this time arround than we had last and that by itself will mean more people actually participated despite not being able to hide in a box. So we will end up with a net gain instead of the disenfranchisement you mentioned.

Also there is nothing elite about the voters just because they happen to have saturday off.

[MADem]

22. Well, in a tourist town, there's no Monday through Friday 'work week"

And in IA, they did theirs "after work" for the Ward Cleaver and 'Father Knows Best' set, but it really doesn't matter. No matter how you play it, caucuses disenfranchise.

If you work, or serve in the military, or are sick, or have kids or an elderly parent you can't leave alone, you just don't count.

You aren't one of those 'elites' I mentioned--you have no voice or role in the process.

No matter how you try to put lipstick on that pig, that's how it shakes out. At least with primaries, the voting crosses shifts, and there's always the absentee ballot option. With caucuses, it's "Be There, when we say, or Fuck You."

[Egnever]

26. well by your standards

Las vegas is a 24/7 town and there is never a time when everyone can vote ever unless you leave the polls open for 24 hours. So there will always be people unable to vote no matter what.the 24/7 is not limited to just the casinos either. The at large caucuses are an attempt to let as many people as possible have a shot at participating.

I understand your points and don't disagree with them, I do however think the caucus here has done way more good for nevada when it comes to the dem party than it has done harm.

We will see what the turnout is like tomorrow. If our turnout increases heavily as expected I will have to say they were an overwhelming success for the dem party here. Despite the shortcomings you rightly point out.

[MADem]

28. Primaries CROSS SHIFTS, you see. You are MISSING that, and something else, too

Primaries accomodate workers with polling hours that run from seven in the morning to at least eight in the evening. Some open a little later, say, seven thirty, and stay open a little later, too. Ergo:

If you work the midnight shift, you vote when you get off work.

If you work the swing shift, you vote before you go in to work.

If you work regular hours, you vote before work, at lunch if you live near where you work, or after work.

Sorry, your argument doesn't cut it--unless EVERYONE in Vegas works "24 On/24 Off" work cycles.

And the other thing you are missing? THE ABSENTEE BALLOT. That enables even the ill and bedridden, the militarily deployed, the businessperson, the vacationer, the caregiver who can't leave the house easily, or that person who has to work a twenty four hour shift, like a fireman, an opportunity to vote.

[bluedog]

14. don't think I would like that either

especially at work places...say you pick one side of the room and you see you supervisor give you that

***change your vote or I will make your life hell here at work look*******think you are not going to change?.......its intimidating ..............votes should be private......

[MADem]

24. I agree with Howard Dean's view that he expressed eight years ago...

even though he got screwed four years later for speaking the truth...!
Cite upthread:

Four years ago, Howard Dean denounced the Iowa caucuses as ''dominated by special interests,'' saying on a Canadian television show that they ''don't represent the centrist tendencies of the American people, they represent the extremes.''

Videotapes of the show were broadcast on the NBC Nightly News on Thursday, less than two weeks before the Jan. 19 caucuses, the first contest of the Democratic nominating race. The tapes show Dr. Dean arguing that the lengthy caucus process in which neighbors gather to debate their preferences is inconvenient for ordinary people.

''Say I'm a guy who's got to work for a living, and I've got kids,'' he said on the show on Jan. 15, 2000. ''On a Saturday, is it easy for me to go cast a ballot and spend 15 minutes doing it, or do I have to sit in a caucus for eight hours?''

A moment later, he added, ''I can't stand there and listen to everyone else's opinion for eight hours about how to fix the world.'''

[liberalnurse]

6. A refreshing post.

Very informative as I was very curious too. DU needs more posts like this!

[rodeodance]

8. Yes, very informative. Thanks

[adapa]

9. +1

[adapa]

7. do you know how the deligate amount is determined for the At-Large caucuses?

My understanding is that for established caucuses the delegate amount is determined by the amount of registered voters in the district.

Do you know how the delegate amount is determined in the At-Large caucuses?

[Egnever]

13. Here ya go

http://www.nvdemscaucus.com/index.php?option=com_conten...

Nevada Caucus Key Facts:


· The Rules and By-Laws Committee of the Democratic National Committee approved the Nevada Democratic Party’s plan to include additional At-Large precincts.

· Each of the presidential campaigns was fully informed about the rules on May 2, 2007, and throughout the process.

· Allied organizations INCLUDING THE NSEA political director were informed on October 4, 2007.

· The allocation ratios assigned to at-large precincts were derived from an objective formula set out in Nevada law and follow precedent in Nevada as best as possible. NRS 293.133 outlines the delegate allocation based on size of county in a sliding scale. The statutes themselves give more weight to attendees in smaller counties by granting lower ratios – the intent and purpose of which is to ensure under represented areas/communities, etc… still have a meaningful voice in the process.

· When you apply the allocation formula to the At Large precincts, the potential weight of a caucus attendee relative to the number of delegates in a voting precinct is actually greater than those in at-large precincts because the voting precincts have a guaranteed number of delegates based on registration


http://www.nvdemscaucus.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=14&Itemid=31

Delegate Allocation Formula for At-Large Precinct Caucuses:

• If the total number of Democrats in attendance at the At-Large Precinct Caucus
does not exceed 400, divide the total number of attendees by 5. Based on
attendance, the total number of delegates in these At-Large Precincts will range
from 1 – 80.
• If the total number of Democrats in attendance at the At-Large Precinct Caucus
is between 401 and 600, divide the total number of attendees by 8. Based on
attendance, the total number of delegates in these At-Large Precincts will range
from 50 – 75.
• If the total number of Democrats in attendance at the At-Large Precinct Caucus
is between 601 and 800, divide the total number of attendees by 10. Based on
attendance, the total number of delegates in these At-Large Precincts will range
from 60 – 80.
• If the total number of Democrats in attendance at the At-Large Precinct Caucus
is between 801 and 1400, divide the total number of attendees by 15. Based on
attendance, the total number of delegates in these At-Large Precincts will range
from 53 – 93.
• If the total number of Democrats in attendance at the At-Large Precinct Caucus
is between 1401 and 2000, divide the total number of attendees by 20. Based on
attendance, the total number of delegates in these At-Large Precincts will range
from 70 – 100.
• If the total number of Democrats in attendance at the At-Large Precinct Caucus
is between 2001 and 3000, divide the total number of attendees by 30. Based on
attendance, the total number of delegates in these At-Large Precincts will range
from 67 – 100.
Page 55 of 65
• If the total number of Democrats in attendance at the At-Large Precinct Caucus
is between 3001 and 4000, divide the total number of attendees by 35. Based on
attendance, the total number of delegates in these At-Large Precincts will range
from 86 – 114.
• If the total number of Democrats in attendance at the At-Large Precinct Caucus
exceeded 4000, divide the total number of attendees by 50. Based on
attendance, the total number of delegates in these At-Large Precincts will be at
least 80.
This formula is the same one used to determine delegate apportionment in the Nevada
Caucuses but instead of voter registration, it is based on attendance.
Nevada’s working population is an important and vital part of the Democratic Party’s
base. And, because of the unique workforce in Nevada, it is imperative to develop a
system whereby working men and women are able to participate in the selection of their
nominee for President of the United States. The Nevada State Democratic Party is
committed to working with employers, labor and the business community, in a continued
effort to expand participation so that democratic working voters in Nevada may have the
same opportunities to register their preference as do those not constrained to a work
site.
The At-Large Precinct Caucus plan meets all of the necessary requirements of the
NRS, Nevada State Democratic Party rules and by-laws and follows the Caucus
delegate apportionment formula determined by the state. Further, the NSDP worked
closely with the Nevada Attorney General’s office to make sure that the appropriate
rules are followed.

[gaiilonfong]

16. Egnever How does it look to you on the ground

Is Clinton REALLY surging or is it the press pulling for her?

[Egnever]

18. Its really hard to tell

Nevadans as a whole at least here in Las vegas are very tight lipped. The community here is very transient we get something on the order of 5k new people here a month and lose something like 3k. It tends to make people very cautious when dealing with neighbors or their community.

The one thing I do know is that the dem party as a whole here is growing by leaps and bounds we recently passed the republicans in registered Dem's by 6k people I expect that to increase from the caucuses as well. We are on our way to turning blue. No matter who gets the nod here that is a wonderful thing.

If i had to guess though I would say hillary will win here. She has the backing of a lot of the dem party establishment here and despite them having been very weak here up until the last couple of years they still have access to all of the old mailing lists and whatnot.

Still I cant wait for tomorrow I expect it to be very exciting and interesting to participate. I picked up the extra dem registration forms four my caucus location last night and it was a huge stack so there seems to be a general consensus that turn out will be large.

[Laura PourMeADrink]

17. Thanks Egnever ! Have fun tomorrow. I'm jealous !! nt

[Egnever]

19. My pleasure

I am practically bouncing in my chair in anticipation I cant wait!

[adapa]

31. Thank you, very informative!

I"m not a fan of Caucuses but to each their own- Regardless I had a smashing day Jan 8th here in NH I hope your's is fun too.
back to the topic tho
I do worry about the fundamental fairness of 1 person standing for candidate X in an At-Large caucus where the delegate amount is determined by turnout vs. the normal caucuses where 1 person standing for candidate Y has less/more weight because the delegate amount is determined by voter registration. That said I'd be the first to admit I am not clear on the caucuses finer points!

Honestly I'm not concerned about tomorrow vote but how the rules/law's could be manipulated in the years to come.

[suston96]

21. This needs attention:

http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/early-line/2008/jan/17/clinton-camp-confused-over--large-caucus-sites/

I have just resigned in protest as a precinct chairperson for the caucus based on the outrageous and unconscionable decision by the Nevada Democratic Party to have different rules for different groups.

This is a violation of our most fundamental principles of equality and democracy. Shame on the Nevada Democratic Party and shame on those who have turned this into a racial issue.

While all other participants in the caucus will have to be physically present at their precinct where they live, the hotel workers will be able to participate at work. They are the only group who has this special privilege. What about all the other people who have to work or for other reasons can not participate at their precinct... they will not have the same opportunity. In addition, the manner in which the number of delegates will be selected at these strip locations will be different from all other precincts and likely give them a disproportion number of delegates. This is fundamentally un-American and unconscionable. It is the kind of voting methods we expect from a dictatorship and not from a democracy.

I will not be part of facilitating what amounts to a form of "jim crow" law that makes it easier for one group to participate in an election compared to other groups. The more I hear people promising "change" the more it seems nothing has changed. zb

Pay attention to this. Don't turn blind support for your candidate into a poison pill for your political beliefs and the traditional voting rights standards of the Democratic Party.

[Egnever]

25. this guy is sadly mistaken and blinded by hillaryism

There are thousands of workers in these casinos including all sorts of white collar professionals and basically people of every profession from engineers and accountants to dishwashers and maids. Casinos here are small cities unto themselves and the idea that one portion of society is over represented I find to be laughable. The casinos here are the largest employers hands down of anyone in the state and the idea that allowing the many people who work there to participate is somehow disenfranchising people is ridiculous.

[suston96]

27. Yeah, the casinos employ lots of people.....

...and the employers will be watching how their employees vote and for whom they vote.

"hillaryism"? Where is a candidate of any side mentioned in the piece? The precinct captain, as I am, is concerned about a stupid and dangerous process where the secret ballot is trashed and the voter is possibly if not probably coerced into pleasing the employers and the union leaders.

[goodgd_yall]

29. Generally speaking, caucuses are disenfranchising

Though I like aspects of the caucus, it requires people to be available at a certain time of day. This places a burden on voters who cannot get away from whatever responsibilities they have to attend a caucus and then be present for an hour or so. I think it is a less democratic system than the primary system.

[F.Gordon]

30. Can Edwards meet the "viability" criteria at every precinct?

Kucinich?
:shrug:

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Caucuses which elect
one (1) delegate No groups may form, the delegate must be elected by the whole caucus

Caucuses which elect
two (2) delegates Viable groups must contain 25% of attendees (# eligible attendees X .25)

Caucuses which elect
three (3) delegates Viable groups must contain 1/6th of attendees (# eligible attendees, divided by 6)

Caucuses which elect
four (4) or more delegates Viable groups must contain 15% of attendees (# eligible attendees X .15)

Any preference group that is not viable must be given time to realign with preference groups that are viable or with another preference group that is also not viable.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This whole cluster fuck isn't even CLOSE to being representative of democracy. And the "at large" cluster fucks are actually closer to representing fascism than democracy. Course' I suppose it depends on how you define fascism.
:crazy:

What happens in Vegas should stay in Vegas. Let's move on to Super Duper Tuesday and skip Nevada. Although.... I have to work during my state cluster fuck on Super Duper Tuesday which means I can't "vote" and I can't participate in the State caucus if I don't participate in my local caucus.

One Person - One Vote
:patriot: