Shortly after noon today, Paul and I pulled on our coats and went out for a short walk. Although it wasn’t a particularly pretty day, several people were out on our street. As we turned a corner, I saw ahead of us more people — a couple holding hands, a woman walking with a child, several young men, another couple with two dogs. Everyone was walking in the same direction, their destination the elementary school a couple of blocks from our house. Walking along in that slow, steady stream of people, I teared up a little. I’m a softie for democracy in action, and today was caucus day in Washington.
The school gymnasium was packed. This was our third presidential caucus since moving to Seattle, and turnout for the precincts caucusing at the school was by far the largest we’ve seen… so large that several precincts were moved from the gym to other rooms in the school, so large that they ran out of sign-in sheets, and had to quickly make photocopies. It was impressive, and very exciting. (Reports are that the caucus turnout in Washington was twice that of four years ago.)
Washington is the only state in which I’ve lived that has a presidential caucus, and I like caucusing better than voting in a primary. Sure, caucusing is messy, and takes more time than simply voting, but there’s no other event that brings together so many people from the neighborhood, and gives them lots of time to stand around and talk with each other. (Actually, Washington has both a caucus and a primary, but we Democrats don’t use the primary for delegate selection.)
In Washington, the caucus process works like this: when you sign in with your precinct, you indicate your choice of candidate, or that you’re undecided. After the initial vote is counted, one person from each candidate’s camp has a minute to make a case for his/her candidate. After the speeches, anyone may change his/her vote. The votes are recounted, and a number of delegates is awarded to each candidate according to the percentage of votes received. Then the delegates are selected from among the precinct caucus attendees.
In our precinct, 110 people showed up! That’s about twice as many as four years ago. Initially, 66 people voted for Barack Obama, 28 voted for Hillary Clinton, and 6 were undecided. After the speeches, several people changed their votes; in the end, Obama had 68 votes, Clinton 31, and 1 person remained undecided. Our precinct will send 6 delegates to our district convention; 4 will be Obama delegates and 2 Clinton delegates.
By the time the recounting of votes was done, most people had left the caucus. About 20 Obama supporters remained to select 4 delegates and 4 alternates. As that group stood around looking at each other, my no-nonsense husband took charge. “Anyone who wants to be a delegate or alternate, raise your hand.” Five hands went up. “We need three more people,” Paul said. I put my hand up, as did four others. When we realized we had an extra, one fellow bowed out. Five people wanted to be delegates, but one quickly volunteered to be an alternate instead. As an alternate, I’ll attend the district caucus in April. By that time, it may be clear whether the Democratic nominee will be Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton, but I’m looking forward to taking part in the next step in the process. Truth be told, I’d happily vote for either Clinton or Obama.
In 2009, King County will join most other Washington counties in voting entirely by mail. I know that voting by mail has many fans, but I’ll miss the ritual of going to a shared polling place to cast my vote. I’m glad to know that, every four years, I’ll have the opportunity to spend a little quality time with my neighbors (and their children and dogs) to vote for and talk about who we want to be the next leader of our country.
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7 responses so far ↓
A really nice story. I too enjoy actually going to my local elementary school to vote, and I wish it could stay that way. I enjoy making the effort to vote, rather than something that’s more like paying a bill. (I have to vote? Ugh.)
Our caucus was equally hectic, with even more turnout. I have my experience at http://the-foghorn.blogspot.com
I have never lived in a state with a caucus, and I understood the concept, but it’s nice to read first hand experience. I would likely get, and the get a bit misty eyed myself making that walk. I love the concept of the caucus, but I also know that as a nurse, chances are good that I would not be able to attend, and that the same thing would be true for many others. I am one who simply LOVES to vote. It is often inconvenient and time consuming, but I always feel a little flutter in my heart and stomach as I participate.
I had assumed you and Paul would be caucusing yesterday. Thank you for writing about the process.
And yes, Paul is a take charge sort of person-something Democrats or democrats often need. Love, B
You were right about the very public place Mr. G. and I had our exchange was the caucus. It was wall to wall people and so thrilling. I felt so politically alive and I met so many of my neighbors. It was a wonderful day. Good for you for doing your part.
interesting. i think i would like to do this too.
i’ll be looking forward to hearing about your further experiences as an alternate.
GREAT post! You explained this process so clearly and consisely and captured that whole sense of the community working in a democracy for the common good. I LOVE it! I was assigned to call specific people- their names show up on my computer and it
s very closely and well organized so that you don’t have nut cases calling nut cases- and then each call is logged in. Actually, I feel proud that I’m in the group of people who are encouraged to make direct calls rather than just dialling and plugging in a pre-recorded automated message.
Neither, you nor Bonnie nor Sparky showed up on my call list. I can’ imagine why…:-)
I’m with you- I have my guy but if that doesn’t work out I’ll still be okay when it comes tome to vote for progress and change.
Great post. I too “misted up” in the caucus queue. So many people, stretching around the block, and a few of them I would never have guess were Dems! I signed in for Edwards, causing more than one person to think I should get cable
but the intention was to give one last hurrah for a great candidate, and to summon all the persuasive power my neighbors could muster. After the speeches, I switched to Obama, but like you, will happily vote for Clinton if she wins the nomination. It’s exciting to see the light at the end of this long, long tunnel!
Here is another QA caucus report from my neighbor Yasmin at Crosscut.