| WHAT IS A CAUCUS? WHAT HAPPENED TO THE PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY MAIL-OUT BALLOT ? WHEN ARE THE CONVENTIONS BEING HELD? | | 02/22/12 |
CAUCUS AND CONVENTIONS - 101
Washington became the first U.S. state to suspend its 2012 presidential preference primary election , a move signed into law by Governor Christine Gregoire (D)due to budget constraints. What this means to the voter is that Washington state voters, unlike previous years will not be receiving a Presidential Preference Primary Ballot in the mail this year. (Do not confuse this with the General Election held in November 2012 in which the entire nation votes for their choice for President. It is only the Presidential Preference Primary- mail out ballot- that has been suspended.)
Here is the bottom line for any registered voter in Clark County that would like to have the opportunity to state their preference for the Republican Presidential Nominee...there will be no ballot arriving in your mailbox....you must do so by attending your local caucus. The Clark County Republican Party had no involvement in the decision to cancel the Presidential Primary mail ballot. This was a decision made by the Legislature and approved by the Governor.
This year, our State will rely on a precinct caucus-convention system, (similar to Iowa) for nominating national convention delegates.
Precinct Caucus Clusters
Clark County is divided into 194 voting Precincts, ranging in size from 2035 registered voters to 85. On March 3, registered voters who consider themselves Republicans will attend Precinct Caucus Clusters.
They’re “clustered” rather than having a meeting place for each precinct, with as many as 11 to 31 Precincts meeting in one location. There are ten cluster locations.
At the Caucus Clusters, volunteers will help ensure you’re in the correct Precinct and location. You’ll be required to sign a pledge stating that you consider yourself a Republican. There is no cost to participate in this meeting .
Each Precinct will have a table location at the meeting. The Precinct Committee Officers, which are members of the Clark County Republican Party Central Committee and are elected to organize and lead Republicans in a Precinct, will lead activities within their Precinct. A trained Caucus Cluster coordinator will conduct overall activities in each location.
Electing Delegates and Alternates
Each Precinct will elect delegates (and equal number of alternates) depending on how many voters are registered in that Precinct. The PCO (Precinct Committee Officer) will automatically become a delegate if presiding. Participants will also elect alternates in case the elected delegate(s) from that Precinct can’t participate in the County Convention.
“It’s grassroots politics at its best,” said Brandon Vick, Clark County Republican Chair expecting a higher-than average turnout at the Caucuses this year.
CAUCUS CLUSTER MEETING LOCATIONS
PRECINCT CAUCUSES
Just below is a list of the 10 Republican Precinct Caucus locations. Look for your precinct number. Registration begins at 9 AM and will continue until 10:30. The caucus cluster will be called to order at 10:00 AM . The individual precinct caucuses begin at 10:30. Registration closes at 10:30 Anyone not registered by 10:30 will not be allowed to join their precincts, register their Presidential Preference or participate in voting.
Your "all volunteer" Clark County Republican Party has organized and financed these caucuses for your participation. Please be prepared to show identification. Observors are welcome, however you MUST be a registered voter (and participate only in the caucus of YOUR PRECINCT) to participate in the Presidential Preference Straw poll or any caucus activities or voting. If you are not registered, please call the elections office at 397-2345.
DON'T KNOW YOUR PRECINCT NUMBER?
If you don’t know your Precinct number, CLICK HERE Enter the requested information. Click on Continue. On the next page click on: MY DISTRICT AND ELECTED OFFICIALS. Your precinct number will be displayed on the top line.
Use your computers "back arrow" to return to this page. Locate your precinct number below to determine where your precinct is meeting. If you have difficulty locating your precinct number call the elections department at 397-2345 or our office at 695-1609
PRECINCT CAUCUS LOCATIONS
18th Legislative District
La Center High School, Room: Commons
725 Highland Road, La Center
Precincts
510, 515, 520, 525, 528, 530,
535, 536, 537, 600, 605
17th & 18th Legislative Districts.
Ridgefield High School, Room: Commons
2630 S. Hillhurst Road
Ridgefield.
Precincts
480, 483, 485, 490, 491, 500,
502, 505, 540, 543, 545, 550, 570
Chief Umtuch Middle School
Room: Commons
700 N.E. 9th Street
Battle Ground
Precincts
555, 573, 575, 577, 580, 582,
583, 584, 585, 586, 590, 592,
593, 595, 610, 613, 615, 617, 618, 620
17th, 18th & 49th Legislative Districts
Chinook Elementary School, Room-Cafeteria
1900 N.W. Bliss Road
Vancouver
Precincts
424, 425, 426, 434, 435, 440,
441, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448,
449. 450, 451, 452, 453. 455,560
49th Legislative District
Hazel Dell Elementary School, Room Cafeteria.
511 N.E. Anderson Road
Vancouver
Precincts
50, 55, 60, 70, 147, 153,
370, 390, 395, 400, 410, 415,
420, 423, 430, 460, 470
49th Legislative District
Walnut Grove Elementary School: Room Gymnasium
6103 72nd Avenue
Vancouver
Precincts
290, 294, 296, 325, 330, 335,
340, 350, 360, 565, 639, 642
Hudson Bay High School, Room: Commons
1206 E. Reserve Street
Vancouver
Precincts
90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 150,
160, 170, 175, 180, 190, 200,
220, 225, 240, 245, 250, 255,
257, 650, 651, 660, 663, 670,
673, 675
17th Legislative District
Heritage High School, Room: Commons
7825 NE 130th Avenue
Vancouver
Precincts
563, 571, 624, 626, 627, 628,
629, 630, 633, 634, 635, 636,
638, 640, 643, 649, 652, 653,
654, 656, 662, 685, 686, 687,
688, 689, 691, 692, 693, 698, 699
Wy’ East Middle School, Room: Commons
1112 S.E. 136th Avenue
Vancouver
Precincts
631, 644, 645, 646, 648, 658,
659, 664, 668, 669, 677, 678,
679, 680, 681, 682, 683, 690,
694, 695, 696. 697
15th & 18th Legislative Districts
Camas High School, Room: Commons
26900 S.E. 15th
Camas
Precincts
606, 625, 900, 905, 910, 913,
914, 917, 920, 925, 930, 935,
940, 947, 950, 960, 961, 962,
963, 964, 965, 966, 985
Clark County Republican Convention
On Saturday, March 31 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. the Republican Party will hold the county convention at the Vancouver Hilton. Anyone is invited to this event as “observers,” which will be held at the Vancouver Hilton, although only the previously elected delegates or upgraded alternates will be allowed to participate and vote. Over 800 delegates and alternates are expected to attend the county convention. Those who attend, including observers, will pay a $10 registration fee to cover costs.
At the Clark County Republican County Convention, delegates will declare their allegiance to a candidate for the presidential nomination, and will elect a total of 94 delegates and 94 alternates to go on to the state convention, by Caucusing by Legislative District.
The delegates will also debate and ratify a Clark County Republican Party platform and resolutions to be forwarded to the State Republican Party for consideration to the State Party Platform. Republican dignitaries and candidates for local and statewide offices are expected to speak.
Washington State Republican Convention
The Republican State Convention will be held May 30-June 2 in Tacoma. Convention registration, room and meal costs for delegates and alternates from Clark County are typically several hundred dollars.
Nationally prominent Republicans will speak at this event as well as Statewide and Congressional District candidates. To go to the Washington State Republican Party www.wsrp.org>Click Here
At this event, delegate and alternate election to the national convention is highly contested. Delegate candidates also have to declare their allegiance to a presidential candidate, and are bound for their first vote if they want to participate in the national convention. The delegates will also debate and approve a Washington State Party Platform and Resolutions.
Delegates will Caucus by congressional district. Each congressional district (Washington now has 10 with all of Clark County in the 3rd Congressional District) gets to elect three delegates and three alternates.
Another 10 called "at-large" delegates and alternates will be elected from the convention floor. The state party chairman and the state’s national committee chairman and chairwoman are automatic delegates. Thus a total of 43 delegates and 40 alternates will represent Washington state at the Republican National Convention. Typically, Clark County state convention alternates are upgraded to delegate status for a portion of the convention.
Still have questions? Email Chairman Brandon Vick at info@clarkcountygop.org
Republican National Convention
The Republican National Convention will be held August 27, 30 in Tampa, Fla.
*Source Credit: Excerpted from a Bellingham Herald Article by Jared Paben | |
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