The Who, What, Where, And Why of Maine’s Presidential Nominating Caucuses

Maine's Presidential Nominating Caucuses will be held this month around the state, so here are the details about where they are, who can take part, and why we have them.

It will be a busy month in Maine, as voters gather to cast ballots in the 2016 Presidential caucus. The Maine Department of the Secretary of State, which oversees elections across the state, is reminding residents that these caucuses are not the same as a primary election, which will be held on June 14th.

The caucus process is administered by the three recognized political parties in Maine - Republicans, Democrats, and Green Independents. The sole purpose of this month's caucus is to allow party members to choose delegates for their respective party's state convention, who will then select delegates for the party's national convention.

You have to be enrolled in a party to vote in that party's caucus. For example, Republicans can't vote in a Democratic caucus. And Independents can't vote in any of them. Voters who are not enrolled in a party can register with that party by getting to the caucus early. However, if you're already enrolled in a party, but want to change to another party, it's too late. That needed to have been done by February 19th. This is to prevent delegates from 'stacking the deck' by flooding the caucus with last-minute voter changes.

• The Republican Party's caucus is schedule for this Saturday, March 5th, and will take place at twenty-two locations throughout the state. To participate, voters need to bring their photo ID when they show up at the caucus for their town or city. To find your local caucus site, visit the Maine GOP website.
• The Democratic Party's caucus is happening this Sunday, March 6th, and will also take place at several locations. To find your local caucus site, log onto the Maine Democratic website. 
• And The Green Independent Party is hosting caucuses on a variety of dates between March 1st and the 19th, throughout the state. To find your caucus, log onto the Maine Greens website.
• And for general information about this year's elections, log onto the website for the Maine Elections.