Guest Editorial: Maine Democrats Caucus Feb. 10 (Printed Jan. 18, 2008)
By Maxine Adams
York County Democratic Committee chairman
What Is The Maine Democratic Caucus?
With Maine’s Democratic Caucuses on Feb. 10 just around the corner, as chairman of the York County Democratic Committee, I’ve received many questions about just how this sometimes confusing method of selecting a presidential nominee for our party actually works. In an attempt to make the process more understandable and encourage as many Maine Democrats to let their voice be heard, I’ve composed the following Q&A:
What determines the process of how each state participates in the nomination process?
The procedure for nominating presidential candidates is not spelled out in the Constitution of the United States. The procedure is usually a mix of national party rules, state party rules, and state laws, which is what it is here in Maine. Our state’s elections laws are spelled out in the Maine Election Code (Title 21-A M.R.S.A. Section 311-315).
Who chooses a party’s candidate for president?
Presidential candidates are chosen in the summer of the presidential election year when political parties in the U.S. conduct their national conventions according to the rules of the national parties. The attendees at the national conventions represent their states’ chosen party candidates. The first candidate to reach a majority of delegate votes at the national convention becomes the party’s candidate. For Democrats, if there is no majority after the first vote of the convention, there are additional ballots accompanied by a “brokering” process until a nominee is selected. In modern times, the Democrats have usually achieved a majority on the first ballot.
Who chooses these national convention attendees?
In order to choose the national convention delegates, the states hold state party caucuses/conventions, or primaries, or a combination of the two, according to the rules of the national and state parties.
Who chooses these state and national convention delegates in Maine?
Along with eight other states, Maine has a caucus system, although in 1996 and 2000 Maine experimented with holding a primary instead of a caucus. So, in Maine, you help choose each party’s presidential candidate by caucusing with your neighbors and electing delegates who are pledged to support your candidate at the State Convention where they will elect National Delegates to the National Convention. In 2008, Maine is allocated 34 delegates to the Democratic National Convention out of a total of approximately 4,400 delegates; 24 will be selected based on the presidential preferences of delegates to the state convention; 10 are called unpledged delegates or so called “Super Delegates” and include individuals such as our Democratic Congressmen, our Democratic Governor, and the leadership of the Maine Democratic Party.
What will happen at my town or city’s Democratic Caucus in Maine on Feb. 10?
• You will complete an attendance form
• A caucus chairman and secretary will be elected
• Municipal committee business will be conducted
• Speakers will talk on behalf of candidates
• The Presidential Balloting/Convention Delegate Election will begin
• The chairman will announce the number of eligible Democrats present and the number of state delegates to be elected
• You and other attendees will physically divide by precinct (if your town/city has precincts)
• You and other attendees will physically form groups according to your presidential preference
• The presidential candidate’s share of the state delegates to be elected is calculated
• The State Delegates are elected
Why should I attend?
Although participating in a presidential caucus can seem confusing or intimidating, it is actually an exciting, community-building experience. I encourage all York County Democrats to attend their municipal caucuses and play their part in electing a Democratic president in 2008. You will have a great time engaging with your friends and neighbors on civic matters of importance to all of us.
OK, I’m going! How do I find out more?
You can find out the location for your municipality’s caucus by calling the Maine Democratic Party at 622-6233 or by visiting www.mainedems.org. See you there!
York County Democratic Committee chairman
What Is The Maine Democratic Caucus?
With Maine’s Democratic Caucuses on Feb. 10 just around the corner, as chairman of the York County Democratic Committee, I’ve received many questions about just how this sometimes confusing method of selecting a presidential nominee for our party actually works. In an attempt to make the process more understandable and encourage as many Maine Democrats to let their voice be heard, I’ve composed the following Q&A:
What determines the process of how each state participates in the nomination process?
The procedure for nominating presidential candidates is not spelled out in the Constitution of the United States. The procedure is usually a mix of national party rules, state party rules, and state laws, which is what it is here in Maine. Our state’s elections laws are spelled out in the Maine Election Code (Title 21-A M.R.S.A. Section 311-315).
Who chooses a party’s candidate for president?
Presidential candidates are chosen in the summer of the presidential election year when political parties in the U.S. conduct their national conventions according to the rules of the national parties. The attendees at the national conventions represent their states’ chosen party candidates. The first candidate to reach a majority of delegate votes at the national convention becomes the party’s candidate. For Democrats, if there is no majority after the first vote of the convention, there are additional ballots accompanied by a “brokering” process until a nominee is selected. In modern times, the Democrats have usually achieved a majority on the first ballot.
Who chooses these national convention attendees?
In order to choose the national convention delegates, the states hold state party caucuses/conventions, or primaries, or a combination of the two, according to the rules of the national and state parties.
Who chooses these state and national convention delegates in Maine?
Along with eight other states, Maine has a caucus system, although in 1996 and 2000 Maine experimented with holding a primary instead of a caucus. So, in Maine, you help choose each party’s presidential candidate by caucusing with your neighbors and electing delegates who are pledged to support your candidate at the State Convention where they will elect National Delegates to the National Convention. In 2008, Maine is allocated 34 delegates to the Democratic National Convention out of a total of approximately 4,400 delegates; 24 will be selected based on the presidential preferences of delegates to the state convention; 10 are called unpledged delegates or so called “Super Delegates” and include individuals such as our Democratic Congressmen, our Democratic Governor, and the leadership of the Maine Democratic Party.
What will happen at my town or city’s Democratic Caucus in Maine on Feb. 10?
• You will complete an attendance form
• A caucus chairman and secretary will be elected
• Municipal committee business will be conducted
• Speakers will talk on behalf of candidates
• The Presidential Balloting/Convention Delegate Election will begin
• The chairman will announce the number of eligible Democrats present and the number of state delegates to be elected
• You and other attendees will physically divide by precinct (if your town/city has precincts)
• You and other attendees will physically form groups according to your presidential preference
• The presidential candidate’s share of the state delegates to be elected is calculated
• The State Delegates are elected
Why should I attend?
Although participating in a presidential caucus can seem confusing or intimidating, it is actually an exciting, community-building experience. I encourage all York County Democrats to attend their municipal caucuses and play their part in electing a Democratic president in 2008. You will have a great time engaging with your friends and neighbors on civic matters of importance to all of us.
OK, I’m going! How do I find out more?
You can find out the location for your municipality’s caucus by calling the Maine Democratic Party at 622-6233 or by visiting www.mainedems.org. See you there!
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