Nebraska Democrats vote "overwhelmingly" to replace caucus with primary

[Yosemito]

The state’s Democrats had been choosing their presidential nominee by caucus since 2008 in a system similar to Iowa’s. With caucuses, voters gather in place and discuss the candidates, as opposed to a primary, in which voting is done privately like any other election.

But Nebraska Democratic Party’s State Central Committee voted at its meeting in Ord on Saturday to discontinue the system and go back to regular primary voting. The change was overwhelmingly approved on a voice vote following about 90 minutes of debate.

http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/Voting-to-End-Caucuses-Nebraska-Democrats-Will-Return-to-Primary-System.html

[madaboutharry]

1. Iowa also needs to get rid of the caucus.

The Caucus is disorganized and chaotic and a lot of people leave pissed off feeling that their vote didn’t count.

[question everything]

8. Two years ago there were warning of a snow storm

(why is it that central, snowy states have caucuses during the snowy months?)

And the ABC guy - Muir - told Iowans: so got get caucus early...



As it happened, they caucused on Monday and the story came Tuesday.

[Jim Lane]

11. That won't happen, because of New Hampshire

Iowa likes the outsize influence it gets from having the first contest in the nation. But New Hampshire is fanatically devoted to having the first primary.

If Iowa switches to a primary but keeps its early date, New Hampshire will move up its primary date. The two states could end up leapfrogging each other, with each trying to be first, and running into conflict with the DNC rule that all contests (except for the selection of the superdelegates) must be in the calendar year of the election.

It would take quite the political earthquake to change the current arrangement of the first two states.

[manor321]

2. Excellent

[WhiskeyGrinder]

3. I used to be a fan of the caucus but when it comes to picking candidates, it's a drag.

As an aside, I'm fucking DYING that the State. Central. Committee meeting was held in ORD.

[a kennedy]

4. Minnesota got rid of their caucus format....last political cycle......

kinda like it tho, got to see where your neighbors stood, but I just want to go in and either pull a lever or fill in black ovals now. So glad we’re done the caucuses.

[Gothmog]

5. This is great news

[UTUSN]

6. Hip hip!1 Now, how many more are there of caucus states?

[Garrett78]

7. By my count, there are 14 states (plus several territories) that hold/held caucuses.

At least 5, including Nebraska, seem likely to drop caucuses in favor of primaries, or have already done so. The others are CO, MN, ME and WA.

Also, the Democratic Party in each state is now required to accept absentee ballots.

[UTUSN]

9. Thanks for the info. I've seen it to be a hassle and a deterrent/suppression for voting.

Last edited Wed Dec 12, 2018, 11:29 AM - Edit history (1)

What, we grew up being told that a pillar of voting was the secret ballot, then with this caucus thing all privacy/secrecy was out the window, having to go through the gaze of neighbors, possibly co-workers or bosses, and even just random people just to be able to vote, besides the hassle of evening meetings outside of just casting a vote. Not to mention, I contend, that the caucus mechanics has a psychological angle, made for EXTROVERTS, shutting out and shutting down us introverts and others who are intimidate-able.

And I'm sure I will be, not only corrected, but *lambasted* if I'm wrong, but this type of tinkering with our voting, maybe didn't originate but took steam, from our George McGOVERN generation. It is good intentions vs unintended consequences. What we've been building towards is *facilitating* voting and railing against the wingnuts' voter suppression, so we should remove this clunky mechanical obstruction. Any obstruction to voting is working against US.

[Garrett78]

10. Absolutely. Many are unwilling or unable to participate in such a lengthy, public spectacle.

It's rather embarrassing that our party still has caucuses. They essentially disenfranchise.