Presidential Caucuses = Opportunities for Minority Communities
Dec 28, 03:07 PM CST
Editors Note: The following article was prepared for members of the minority press in Nebraska.
In February of 2007, the Nebraska Democratic State Central Committee, the governing body of the state’s Democratic Party voted to hold Presidential Caucuses in 2008. By doing so, they established Nebraska’s first go at the caucus system.
The excitement and energy surrounding this year’s presidential nominating process is unprecedented. Nebraskans, who have participated in Iowa’s caucus for many years, have taken the bold step of tapping into the attention by setting an early caucus date of Saturday, February 9, 2008.
For years, Nebraska’s May primary has had no role in determining a nominee for the Democratic Party. As a matter of fact, one would need to look as far back as the 1960’s to find a presidential cycle in which our state had a voice.
State law allows political parties to choose a caucus system to elect delegates to county conventions. Simply defined, a caucus is a local meeting of a political party. In this case, on February 9th, Democrats will gather in homes, schools, churches, courthouses and other locations throughout Nebraska, electing delegates to their county convention by presidential preference.
Like Iowa’s caucuses, attendance at Nebraska’s caucus is open to any registered Democrat ages 18 and above and those who will be 18 on Election Day, November 4, 2008.
Once the caucus begins, attendees will be asked to gather in groups of people supporting the same candidate (preference groups) in the meeting space. Those groups with enough caucus-goers to be considered viable (15% of total attendees) will move to the next phase of the meeting. Anyone in groups that are not large enough to be viable will be given the opportunity to realign with another candidate’s group or join an uncommitted group.
Once this process is completed, those in viable groups will elect delegates from their group to represent them at the county’s convention in June. The number of these delegates will be reported to the State Party and will be tabulated with the results of caucuses throughout the state, determining the winner of the Nebraska Democratic Presidential Caucus.
The caucus does not eliminate the May primary. It will be important for all Democrats to still go to the polls on May 13th to cast votes in local, county, state legislative and statewide races. The presidential candidates will remain on the ballot. However, the results of the presidential portion of the election will mean nothing and it will truly be a “beauty contest.”
Nebraska Democrats chose the caucus system to attempt to increase their voice in the presidential nominating process. In doing so, the party also hopes to increase the voice of minority communities throughout the state.
The party’s official Delegate Selection Plan specifically includes an affirmative action, outreach and inclusion plan. In it, the party states, “All public meetings of the Democratic Party in Nebraska should be open to all members of the Democratic Party regardless of race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin, religion, ethnic identity, sexual orientation, economic status or physical disability.”
In early 2007, an Affirmative Action Committee was appointed to facilitate outreach to under-represented communities. These programs include recruitment, education and training, in order to achieve full participation by such groups and diversity in the delegate selection process. In addition, the Nebraska Democratic Party has adopted and will implement programs with specific goals and timetables for African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian/Pacific Americans, women, youth, persons with disabilities, and members of the GLBT community.
For those seeking to be a delegate to their county and/or the state or national convention, the first step is to participate in the presidential preference caucuses on February 9, 2008. As a matter of fact, in order to be elected as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, you must attend the caucuses.
It is vitally important that the voice of Nebraska’s diverse population be heard at each level of this process. By being a part of the conversation, members of minority communities will challenge the party to continue to speak for those who have been under-represented in all levels of government and the affairs of the party for far too long.
Now, more than ever, the voice of minorities must be heard. And now, more than ever, our Party is ready and eager to amplify your voices. We find ourselves in a wonderful position as a nation as we consider that the next President of the United States could very well be a woman, African American or Latino. In order to make history, we need everyone to be a part of the process by attending the caucus, voting in the May primary, and electing our next president in November.
For more information about the 2008 Nebraska Presidential Caucuses, the Nebraska Democratic Party or the party’s delegate selection process, visit www.nebraskademocrats.org or call the party at 1-800-677-7068.
Have a voice in the presidential nominating process. Be part of a movement for change in our nation. Caucus with us on February 9th!
– by Eric Fought | Send this to a friend
