Health & Fitness
What is a Caucus?
This article was written to educate our townspeople on the local election process. Please feel free to comment and contribute to this article if I have left something out. I am learning along the way and appreciate the experience, and wisdom of others.
It wasn’t shocking to me, as I was talking to people in town about the upcoming Republican Caucus, that no one knew what a caucus is? That’s because, prior to my journey for a seat on the Board of Education, I didn’t either.
When you turn 18, you are given the right to vote. There is no handbook, no instructions, and no test. You learn the process through your parents, your friends, or, like me, through the kind Election Day volunteer who patiently explained how to complete my first ballot (and work the curtains!!!)
It wasn’t until I decided to run for the Board of Education, that I realized there was an entirely different, yet equally important, step prior to Election Day.
The Caucus.
The Caucus represents democracy as its most basic. Registered party members attend their meeting in July, listen to the nominees and cast their votes to choose who will be listed on the ballot for town committees and boards come Election Day.
To vote in your local Caucus, you must be:
- A registered party member (Republican/Democrat)
- Be 18 years of age
- A Legal Resident of Town
- Attend the Caucus in-person
Year after year, we (hopefully most of you), come out on Election Day and vote in order to have your voices heard. The Caucus is a great way, as registered party members, to REALLY have your vote count. The top vote-getters earn spots on the ballot!
This is your time to decide and act. Every two years, we get to choose the direction of our town. Listen for yourself to the nominees and decide what you want for your family, your town, and your schools.
As the dates for both parties are announced- I will update this post.
UPDATE: Republican Caucus- Wednesday, July 17th @ 7:00pm (Council Chambers/Town Hall)
