How do the primaries work?

Primaries are the first step taken to elect a president. They are run by state and local governments for states that do not have caucuses. When voting in a primary you are not directly voting for a presidential candidate, but instead a group of delegates that will represent your state at your party’s national convention in summer 2008. Though the details on this vary by state and party. Most states have what is called a “binding” primary, which means that the delegate’s chosen are legally b ound to vote for a particular candidate at a convention.

Who can vote in political primaries?

To vote in a political primary you need to meet the voting requirements. Voters must be a U.S. citizen and at least 18 years of age by election day. Which party you are able to vote for in the political primary depends on the laws in your state. Some state party’s have an open election where everybody, regardless of the party they are registered with, is allowed to vote in the primary. Other states have a closed election and only registered members of a party may vote. Some states have a mixture, with one party having an open election and one party having a closed one. If your political affiliation is independent, you may also meet further restrictions about which primary you may vote in. Find out the rules in your state to see what applies to you.

How do I vote if I’m not at home?

You’ll need an absentee ballot. To apply for one you’ll need an application that is available at your local election office. Most applications can also be found online. To apply you will need to include your name, address as registered, ward and precinct (if you know them), address where you wish to have the absentee ballot sent, the party ballot you want and your signature.

What is a caucus?

Instead of a primary in which citizens of a state cast ballots, some have a caucus. A caucus is a meeting of members of a political party to determine which presidential candidate they will support. Local meetings are held across the state when a caucus system is used. In addition to selecting the presidential candidate, members also discuss their party’s platform and local issues.

News Editor: Olivia Hubert-Allen - 10/31/07