The 2004 Maine Democratic Caucuses will be held on February 8th. They will
be held at gyms and Town Halls throughout the state at various times that day.
To find out when please look up your town or county Democratic Committee in the
phone book.
The Portland Caucus will be held at Deering High School at 5:00 PM.
Some Frequently Asked Questions:
What's the difference between the Primary and the Caucuses?
I'm an independent, can I take part in the Caucuses?
I'm going to vote in the primary, why should I take part in the Caucuses?
How much time will it take?
Can I become a delegate to the state convention without going to a Caucus?
Aren't the Caucuses just backroom politics?
What's the difference between the Primary and the Caucuses?
The primary is a popular vote to indicate which candidates the state supports
and in what proportion. The Caucuses decide who will be delegates to the state
convention and how many will go to support which candidates.
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I'm an independent, can I take part in the Caucuses?
Absolutely all you need to do is show up at your Caucus with ID, a drivers
license or state ID, and proof of address, a utility bill or other official
mail with your name and address. You will then register as a Democrat, it is
the Democratic caucus, and you're in. If you'd like to register as a Democrat
ahead of time that will speed up the process.
If you are a Republican the deadline to change parties for the Caucuses has past.
It was February 18th.
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I'm going to vote in the Primary why should I take part in the Caucuses?
It's very important to vote in the primary, but because fewer people tend to
take part in the Caucuses each individual vote has more weight.
The caucuses are just two days before Super Tuesday and which ever candidate
wins the Caucuses will have that much more momentum and press coverage going
into a very significant day of voting. Maine's motto "Dirigo", "I lead", is
especially true because of the timing of the Caucuses.
If you vote for Bill Bradley and bring your friends to vote for Bill Bradley at
your caucus all of you will have that much more of a chance to make your mark on
the election and indeed the history of the United States.
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How much time will it take?
The Portland Caucus starts at 1:00 at Portland High School in Portland. The
first thing that will happen is that folk will gather in the gym to hear
speeches for the various candidates. After the speeches the attendees will be
broken up by precinct and sent to assigned rooms for each precinct. At a specified time the doors will be closed and
people will state who they are supporting and who they want to send as
delegates and alternates to the state convention.
Depending on how many people show up the Portland Caucus will take 3 or 4 hours.
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Can I become a delegate to the state convention without going to a Caucus?
It is possible to become a delegate without attending a Caucus. Make sure the
precinct chair has a letter from you stating that you would like to be a
delegate and who you are supporting. It is possible to become a delegate this
way but if you want to be a delegate you are much more likely to become one if
you show up at your Caucus.
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Aren't the Caucuses just backroom politics?
If only the party regulars show up, yes they are.
If voters see a need to
get involved and support a man of vision and integrity such as Bill Bradley, if
these people show up at their Caucuses and support their candidate, the Caucuses
become an event where voters can really have their say.
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