To refresh your knowledge from A.P. Gov, let’s start with the difference between a caucus and primary. A caucus is defined as a local gathering where voters openly decide which candidate to support, whereas in a primary, voters simply cast their vote. The number of delegates that will be sent to both National Conventions this summer is dependent upon the results of the caucus or primary.
Here’s a Khan Academy video that paints a more in-depth picture:
So, should you wait until November rolls around to cast your vote? Hard no. Primary elections are just as, if not more, important in the grand scheme of a national election. Register to vote ASAP (some states can do so online!) and get those ballots in.
Let’s also do a quick refresher on the leading candidates; with no distinctively clear frontrunners in either party, this is the most confusing and controversial #PrimarySzn in decades.
DEMS
Hillary Clinton
- Former Secretary of State and wife of good, ole Bill
- Winner of 2/3 elections in #PrimarySzn so far: Nevada and Iowa
- Current favorite, with 48 percent in most recent national poll
Bernie Sanders
- State Senator from Vermont
- Known for his IDGAF attitude and awesome hashtag (#FeelTheBern)
- Trailing Hillz by 7 percent but has come a long, long way in the last year
(Important issues at hand)
GOP
Ted Cruz
- 2nd term Texas Senator
- First place according to a new NBC national poll, with a popular vote of 28 percent
- Won the first event of #PrimarySzn Iowa
Donald Trump
- Billionaire by day, reality television star by night.
- Trailing Cruz by 2 points with 26 percent
- Landslide victory in New Hampshire two weeks ago
(Far too many megapixels)
What’s coming up: Super Tuesday *not to be confused with Fat Tuesday* is on March 1 this year, and 12 states will hold their preliminary elections. The last day of #PrimarySzn will be June 14 when Washington, D.C., voters head to the polls. Finally, the Republican delegates will assemble in Cleveland and the Democrats in Philly during July, when the final selections will be made, and chaos will ensue.
Hold onto your hats, American voters, because this is bound to be a bumpy ride.
