{"id":7247,"date":"2020-01-23T10:30:57","date_gmt":"2020-01-23T15:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/?p=7247"},"modified":"2021-04-10T19:32:35","modified_gmt":"2021-04-10T23:32:35","slug":"english-words-in-the-news-caucus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/english\/english-words-in-the-news-caucus\/","title":{"rendered":"English Words in the News: Caucus"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Image courtesy of Pixabay, CCO<\/p><\/div>\n

Every four years the United States begins its national presidential election with the Iowa caucuses. This is followed by the New Hampshire primary.\u00a0 Soon, in rapid succession, many more states conduct their voting. By May we usually know who the presidential candidates in the two major parties will be.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s important is that there are two methods for selecting the candidates \u2013 primaries<\/strong> and caucuses<\/strong>. They are significantly different from each other. Let\u2019s spend a little time learning about a caucus.<\/p>\n

A Party for the Party<\/h3>\n

Think of a caucus as a neighborhood party. Local members of a political party, Democrats<\/strong> or Republicans<\/strong>, gather at a predetermined location, like a function hall, a heated barn, or even someone\u2019s large living room. In Iowa, caucuses are held every two years. During years without presidential campaigns, participants settle issues related to the state party. Procedural and technical changes to the next presidential caucuses will be made in these off-years.<\/p>\n

During a presidential caucus, local supporters of the candidates meet to elect delegates<\/strong> to the county convention<\/strong>. Some of those will go on to the state convention, and from those delegates, some are chosen for the big national party convention in the summer. Each caucus sends delegates, but the number of delegates is determined by the size of the caucus. A caucus of 400 people will send more delegates to the state convention than a caucus of 40.<\/p>\n

When Republicans caucus, they conduct a vote by (usually) a secret ballot<\/strong>. The ballots are counted, a winner is announced, and everyone goes home. But, the Democrats have a very different system. It\u2019s complicated.<\/p>\n

Get to Know Your Neighbor<\/h3>\n

Democrats gather at their caucus sites, called precincts<\/strong>, and supporters for each candidate are given time to speak to the crowd on behalf of their chosen candidate. Then, everyone separates into groups who support the various candidates. If you still haven\u2019t decided on a candidate, no worries. Undecided voters form into their own group.<\/p>\n

In order for a particular group to remain active at the caucus, it needs to meet the necessary percentage of delegates at the precinct.<\/p>\n