{how to caucus!}

Tomorrow is the Colorado caucus and I would encourage all to attend. Here is how you do it.

Honestly, I am not sure how a caucus operates but it will be educational and interesting. I will know more about everything after Tuesday.

A fun political quiz, Answer 10 questions and find out which presidential candidate you should

vote for in 2008! Check it out...very interesting!

VoteChooser.com

General Info
>Both Democratic and Republican party caucus meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, February 5th
>Caucus meetings start at 7pm, but because an expected high turnout, organizers suggest voters to arrive at 6:30pm.
>Only registered voters who have been affiliated with the Republican or Democratic parties since at least Dec. 5 can participate in the caucuses. Colorado does not have an open party system (ie. unaffiliated and independents can not attend)


For Democratic Voters
http://www.bouldercountydems.org/Election2008/Caucus/
>Go to the website linked above and type in your last name and birth year. If you are a registered voter, your name will appear and you can select it to determine your precinct number and location.
>The website will also tell you your state senate and house districts.
>When you go to your caucus, you'll need to remember your precinct's unique identifier, which is the last three digits of the full number.
>For instance, my precinct number is 2-18-10-07-085, and my unique identifier number is 085. My caucus is at Boulder High School on Arapahoe.

All About Democratic Caucuses
* Participants elect a precinct leader to run the meeting.
* Representatives of the presidential candidates may make short speeches.
* A straw poll is taken to determine how much support each candidate has. Candidates must reach a 15 percent threshold. For example, if 100 people show up, a candidate must receive 15 votes to stay in the next round of voting.
* The next round is the actual preference poll itself. Participants who picked candidates who didn't make the cut are allowed to vote for someone still in the running.
* All votes are public. There is no secret ballot at any level in the process.
* The results from each precinct are relayed to a county party official and then to the state party, which announces the results.
* Participants also pick delegates and alternates to county assemblies and other assemblies.


For Republican Voters
http://bouldercountygop.org/caucuses
>Go to the website linked above and type in your full name you used to register to vote. If you are a registered voter, your name will appear and you can select it to determine your precinct number and location. Note: the GOP site will provide info for both registered democrats and republicans.
>When you go to your caucus, you'll need to remember your precinct's unique identifier, which is the last three digits of the full number.
>For instance, John Smith's precinct number is 218-1007-106, and his unique identifier number is 106. His caucus is at the CU Engineering Center, Room 265, 2nd Level.

All About Republican Caucuses
* Participants elect a precinct leader to run the meeting.
* They then elect a committee to tally votes.
* Representatives for some presidential candidates may make short speeches.
* Voting varies from precinct to precinct. Some vote by secret ballot, others by a show of hands.
* Results from each precinct are relayed to a county party official and then to the state party, which announces the results.
* Participants also pick delegates and alternates to county assemblies and other assemblies. (In some counties, this vote may precede the presidential preference poll.)

Race for Colorado's 2nd Congressional District
>U.S. Rep. Mark Udall (D-Eldorado Springs) is running for the open U.S. Senate seat this November, creating a primary race for the 2nd CD that encompasses much of Boulder County.
>Currently there are four democrats:, Joan Fitz-Gerald, Larry Johnson, Will Shafroth, and Jared Polis, running for the nomination. Bill Hammon is running on the Unity Party platform.
>Polis and Fitz-Gerald are seeking caucus delegates to support their candidacies, and so there will be politicking at the caucuses by their campaigns.