Caucus and a primary

To the Editor;

As the election year gets started, voters may be wondering why there’s both a caucus and a primary. Here are some details that might help explain.

In Piscataquis County, Democrats will caucus on Feb. 4 from 2-4 p.m. at three regional locations in Greenville, Guilford, and Milo. Details are posted at town offices. For the towns of Guilford, Sangerville, Parkman, Abbot, Wellington, and Kingsbury, voters will gather at PCHS. The major order of business will be to determine delegates for the state convention, which in turn sends delegates to the national convention later in the summer. This year the state convention is in Bangor, which may make it easier for Piscataquis folks to participate. In addition to the delegates, the caucus is a chance to collect signatures for candidates to appear on the ballot. U.S. Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine is doing this now for his race this November. This is also a chance to discuss the March 5 primary. 

This year is Maine’s first ever semi-open primary. Unenrolled voters — who aren’t in any party — will be able to request either party’s ballot and rank their choices on March 5. It’s good news for the Independent voters, who have always been excluded from the primary process. As in the past, any registered voter can change their party, but it has to be done 15 days before the primary, and remain so-enrolled for three months. Greens, Libertarians, or No Labels are the other parties recognized statewide.

So the caucus helps voters take care of business for their party, and the semi-open primary allows more Mainers than ever before to have a say in the presidential race. A second, June primary will finalize legislative & congressional candidates. With so many issues at stake, we hope folks turn out and have their say.

Kim Merritt

Piscataquis County Democratic Committee co-chair

Abbot