Municipal caucuses coming to Maine

Did you know that this year Maine citizens will not be voting in a presidential primary? That’s right. Although Maine will hold primary elections on June 8 for other offices, we will not be voting for presidential preference at that time. This year in Maine, enrolled voters in qualified political parties will express presidential preference through municipal caucuses between now and March 20.

There are currently three qualified parties in Maine: the Maine Democratic Party, the Maine Green Independent Party, and the Maine Republican Party. In 2004, the Maine Democratic Party will determine presidential preference at municipal caucuses to be held throughout the state on Feb. 8. The Maine Green Independent Party will also determine presidential preference at municipal caucuses between now and March 20, although the dates will vary across the state.

In the Maine Republican Party in 2004, there is no contest for nomination as the party’s presidential candidate – they have the incumbent, who is unchallenged within the party. However, the Republican Party will hold municipal caucuses to conduct other party business. Their first municipal caucus was held this weekend in Kennebec County. Others will be held throughout the state on various dates before March 20.

What and why are there political caucuses? – When there is no presidential primary election, as in Maine this year, the town caucuses are the only opportunity for voter participation in choosing a qualified party’s presidential candidate for the general election. The caucuses also have other functions. While most of the grass-roots organizing and campaign work of political parties is done by county committees, the grass roots are sown in the general election year town caucuses. That’s when party members have an opportunity to become active members of town committees and representatives to county committees, and it’s also when town delegates are elected to state party conventions. For more detailed information on party organization, caucuses, and conventions, citizens can check with local party officials.

Who can participate in caucuses? -In Maine, caucuses and primaries are only open to enrolled voters. To be enrolled means that a voter is listed on the voting register with a party designation. In our political system, to be enrolled as a designated party voter involves no dues, no pledges, no long-term commitment – it’s just a designation on the voting list. It is not an obligation, but it is a right to participation that political parties cannot deny to any registered voter. All enrollment really does is protect the integrity of votes in political parties by assuring that people do not vote in more than one party primary or caucus in a single election cycle.

To participate in a town caucus – If you are a registered voter and enrolled in a party, you just have to show up at the caucus on time. If you are unregistered or unenrolled, you still have the right to participate, but you need to show up a half hour early in order to register and/or enroll in the party in whose caucus you wish to participate. The town clerk, or registrar of voters, will be present for a half hour before the scheduled caucus. You can also enroll and register at the town office some time before the day of the caucus. If you are not registered to vote, you will need to bring identification and proof of residence with you when registering (driver’s license, utility bill or government document).

If you are registered and enrolled in a different party, you can change your designated affiliation on the voter list, but it’s a little more complicated. You can’t simply do it on caucus or primary day. You must request the change at your town office more than 15 days before the primary or caucus. For example, for the Democratic caucus on Feb. 8, the deadline to change enrollment from another party is Jan. 23.

If you enroll or change your designation, you cannot change it again for at least three months. That’s to prevent people trying to vote in more than one party, in the same election. But if people don’t really want to be associated with a political party and receive its mailings they can enroll temporarily and unenroll as a member at the end of three months.

In Maine the largest block of registered voters (38 percent) are people who are Unenrolled or “Independents.” They outnumber Republicans (29 percent), Democrats (31 percent) and Greens (2 percent). Many Independents prefer to remain Unenrolled in a political party. If you are one of those, we’ll see you at the polls in November. However, if you are interested in playing a more active role in party politics or in selecting a party’s presidential candidate, I urge you to attend and participate in the municipal caucus for the party of your choice.

Ann Luther is a resident of Trenton and president of the League of Women Voters of Maine