Buffalo County Democrats Ready to Caucus
Feb 01, 11:08 AM CST
Caucus is Coming: Democrats hope caucus in Kearney similar to Iowa’s
By SARA GIBONEY, Kearney Hub Staff Writer
KEARNEY — In Nebraska’s first caucus, Democrats from across the state will gather to rally for their favorite presidential candidate.
Buffalo County Democrats will meet at noon Feb. 9 at the University of Nebraska at Kearney Alumni House at 2222 Ninth Ave. to show support for Democratic candidates.
“In Iowa, it’s a huge deal,” Jeanne Butler, director of the Buffalo County Democrats said. “I hope people will come prepared to support their candidates and be a little wild and crazy about it.”
She said the Nebraska Democratic Party decided to change the presidential nomination process so Nebraska has more of a say nationally and to draw candidates to the state.
In the past, Nebraska Democrats voted on presidential nominees in the May primary. That was too late for Nebraska to have any influence on the nomination.
“We want Nebraska to have a greater voice and to create more excitement around the election,” Butler said.
The caucuses in Nebraska will be similar to the Iowa caucuses, which kick off the nomination process.
Butler said each caucus site will have a list of registered Democrats to verify voters’ party affiliation.
Participants also will be able to register to vote at the caucus.
Butler said it’s a good time for University of Nebraska at Kearney students to register if they haven’t yet in Buffalo County.
Liz Weaver, president of the UNK Democrats, said she has been speaking with groups on campus, posting flyers and has published announcements in The Antelope, the university newspaper, to reach younger voters.
The UNK Democrats also plan events at downtown bars to talk to young people about attending the caucus.
“Young people are more excited about his election than they have been about an election in many years,” Weaver said. “Some states’ participation by young people have doubled or even tripled.”
After registered Democrats check in, groups are formed in support of each candidate.
Butler said to be a viable group, at least 15 percent of the total of the number of attendees must make up the group.
Participants in a group that doesn’t have enough people must join another group or join the undecided group.
Any candidate who receives 15 percent of the total number of attendees will have delegates assigned to them. Delegates will be chosen to represent those candidates at the county convention at the UNK Alumni House June 5.
Delegates will be chosen at the county convention to go to the state convention, where delegates will then be chosen to attend the Democratic National Convention in Denver in August.
– by Eric Fought | Send this to a friend
