Democratic Hybrid Primary/Caucus

[LonghornLawyer]

Can anybody enlighten me as to how this works? I've never voted in a Democratic primary before, so this year is going to be a first. It's my understanding that you go and vote in the primary, and then there is a caucus that starts at 7:00.

What is the purpose of the caucus if the primary is going to control the delegates allocated? Or does the primary control the delegates allocated at all?

 

[Fried JJ Pickles]

What state are you voting in?

 

[Super]

Texas "primary", Part 1

Part 2

Basically, 71 % of the delgates are allotted based on primary results, and ~29% are allotted based on the caucus showings that evening (7:15 pm, March 4, at your polling place).

Texas Two-Step, if you will....with apologies to

 

[Napoleon]

Welcome to Bizarro World... Y'all.

 

[Seattle Husker]

Only the Democrats could come up with a system that messed up.

 

[Super]

Everybody seems to be saying that, but it's been like that as long as I can remember (back to '84).

It is a little bit confusing, if you're, like, 12, but I kind of like it. Rewards organization and involvement by your supporters.

 

[LonghornLawyer]

My recollection is that it wasn't that way in 1984. Texas had a pure caucus system through the 1984 election (at least on the Democratic side). It was during the 1985 legislative session that Texas switched to the current system.

 

[accuratehorn]

Apparently, it is not considered a caucus. Just a precint meeting. But it seems to have similarities to the caucuses in other states. I guess the definition would be in a caucus, that is where you do the actual voting (?), not in a primary polling booth.

 

[accuratehorn]

Read the links-this is a strange system. Looks like the young Obama supporters will dominate, because they are treating it like a pep rally-this doesn't reflect how many people would actually vote for a candidate, just how energetic their supporters will be at an after-primary precinct meeting.
Bizzare indeed.