Election year is upon us, and with it, come political ads, yard signs, phone calls and lots of questions!
What is a Caucus?
To understand what a caucus is, you must know what it's not. A caucus is not a primary! A primary is much closer to what we normally think of when voting (i.e. a ballot behind a curtain, going in anytime during voting day privately).
A caucus is none of those things! A caucus is more of a public meeting between community members to decide how many delegates a presidential candidate will receive.
How does a Caucus work?
For the Democratic caucus, everyone is in a room together, and you stand with people who want the same candidate as you (or in a group of undecided/uncommitted). You all have chance to speak to the "other side" to try to convince them to vote for your candidate. The precinct captain(s) then count each group. If any candidate has fewer than 15 percent of the votes in the room, that candidate is considered unviable and all delegates go to the remaining candidate. The Republican caucus is voted by secret ballot, but anyone who wishes to speak is be able to.
What do you mean by delegates? Does my vote not count?
All delegates are aware proportionally by vote to any viable candidates. (If there are 10 available delegates, and two candidates each get 50 percent of the vote, they will each get five delegates. If one candidate receives 80 percent and the other receives 20 percent, the delegate split would be eight and two.) Each precinct will send their results to the headquarters, who will assign state delegates in proportion to the results. Maine has 30 Democratic and 30 Republican delegates available. If any Republican candidate gets more than 50 percent of the vote, that candidate receives all Maine's Republican delegates.
Can I Caucus?
If you are registered in the party you wish to caucus for and will be 18 by Election Day (Nov. 8, 2016), you can caucus!
I will be out of state/asleep/busy on the day of the caucus, can I still vote?
In the Democratic Caucus, yes. You can request an absentee ballot be sent to you here. The ballot must be received by 5 p.m. on March 2!
In the Republican Caucus, no. Only veterans may request absentee ballots. All others must go to the caucus if they would like to vote.
When and where is the Caucus?
Republican: Saturday, March 5 -- Find your location here: here.
Democrat: Sunday, March 6 -- Find your location here: here.
I'm not from Maine, but I attend college here. Can I caucus?
Yes! You have the choice to caucus in your home state or here, in Maine. However, you must be registered in the place you wish to vote.
Who do I have to choose between?
Click the pictures to view the candidates' website.
Democrats:
Republicans:
Where can I go for more information?
For Maine Democrats. For Maine Republicans.
