OK, i'm confused is Washington holding a caucus and primary on 2 different days

[sunonmars]

http://www.surveyusa.com/electionpolls.aspx

Precinct Caucus on the 9th

Only 32% will caucus, thats pisspoor.

Primary on the 19th

89% will do a primary.

[chascarrillo]

1. Yes. The caucus counts. The primary DOES NOT.

Can't emphasize that enough. You have to caucus to have your vote count. The primary does not have any influence in determining delegates for Washington. (The Republican caucus/primary is different - they both count in terms of allocating delegates. Like anyone reading this was going to do that, but...)

[K Gardner]

2. OK.. I have NEVER heard of this before. I hope the people who live there know about this !! Weird.

[sunonmars]

4. why bother having it and only 32% turn up for caucus, thats crap

[progressive_realist]

10. I suspect we'll get a lot more than 32%

There's going to be a lot of first-time caucus-goers. Including me.

:dem:

[sunonmars]

3. what sort of dumbass system is this

[chascarrillo]

7. State law requires that a primary election be held. The WA Democratic Party only uses the caucus.

http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/02/caucus_potus

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004148965_caucusprimary28m.html

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420ap_wa_confusing_caucuses.html

... and yes, it is a dumbass system. Add to that that people have already received mail-in ballots. At least word is finally getting out - the local news had a piece explaining it just as I am typing this!

[BanzaiBonnie]

5. OK, so apparently I missed something

I never knew we had a caucas. I only heard about it for the first time this year. And here I thought when I went to vote in the primary it meant something.


You can bet your booty my husband and I will be there along with any other warm body we can find.

[chascarrillo]

8. Washington State caucus finder

If you're registered to vote, you can find your caucus location here: http://www.wa-democrats.org/caucusfinder

And yes, please do whatever you can to show up! Even if your candidate is no longer in the race, you can vote on additions to the plank of the state Democratic Party. You can also remain uncommitted if you choose to. (The only caveat is that you'll have to trust the person you select to represent you at the Legislative District and State delegate meetings to actually represent you.)

[grantcart]

6. just got a phone call from my brother in Spokane when the post came up

Washington voting is now all by mail. There is a mail in primary that will not impact delegates for the DP. The Republicans split it.

The caucuses determine the delegates. Spokane and most everything East of the Cascades is under several feet of snow. Tomorrow Clinton and Michelle Obama will be there, 80% of the population is in the West and not effected by snow

[grantcart]

9. actually 32 % of the population going to a caucus would be huge

barely 50% vote in a GE

[chascarrillo]

11. We were busting the seams in 2004...

... this election is going to be absolutely nuts! Plan ahead for parking. Be there early. Don't let anyone or anything dissuade you for participating!

From my experience last go around as a Dean voter/LD delegate, there was no bullying or strongarming. This is Washington - we're liberal like that. :)

[grantcart]

12. good advice I am in San Diego now good luck how does it look

for Obama

[chascarrillo]

13. Let's put it this way...

... my wife told me that the local Obama campaign was turning away volunteers because they already had way too many!

Everyone's expecting Obama to win handily, even though our two Senators have endorsed Clinton and Gov. Gregoire is rumored to be endorsing her tonight. (She also has the very respectable endorsements of King County Chairman Ron Sims and Rep. Jay Inslee. Inslee is a fantastic congressperson, by the way.) Obama has the endorsement of Seattle Mayor Greg Nickles, who I can't stand. So much for endorsements influencing me. :)

[windbreeze]

14. Correctamundo....are you confused as I am???

and the only delegates will be chosen at the caucus?? I never saw anything so stupid in my life..wb

[sunonmars]

15. Theres going to be hell, if the caucus chooses one and the primary another

[windbreeze]

16. That can't happen

because from what I understand, the caucuses are going to pick the delegates...oh god, I don't think I can begin to explain how this works..When it gets to state caucus..whoever has the majority of the delegates is to whom the state will go...from what I have read so far, the state, as a whole, is leaning towards Clinton...(although don't ask me how they have that information beforehand)the primary votes won't count, is the way I heard it...From what I understand, we can thank the Dems for this mess...personally, I'd like to know what it cost me and the rest of the state taxpayers to send absentee ballots to everyone with 3 different ballots in it???R/D and Non partisan, who doesn't even get to vote for President at all, and for R/D votes that WILL NOT COUNT???...sign me purely pissed AND disgusted in WASHINGTON..wb