Primaries or caucuses: which is the better system?

[mac56]

Apologies if this has been posed already. But which one is the better system? I've dealt with them both (primaries in GA, caucuses in MN), and am not sure which gets the "better" result.

Primaries:

Ordinary voters have a direct influence over selection of nominees.
Because delegate selection is in part controlled by state laws and state party rules, there are different kinds of primaries with varying ways in which delegates are selected.
Primaries have dominated since the late 60's as the method of delegate selection.

Caucuses:

Require face-to-face interactions aming participants.
Precinct caucuses choose delegates to regional or state caucuses, who then choose delegates.
Participants are more likely to be party activists than voters in a primary.

Any thoughts?

add on edit: copped some of these speaking points from oregonstate.edu

[pmbryant]

1. Primaries

It's hard enough to get people involved in politics if all they have to do is cast a ballot. Trying to figure out how caucuses work, then devoting the time to participate, just seems like way too much for most people.

Caucuses, in practice, shut out all except the most dedicated partisans, and that is a bad thing for democracy.

--Peter

[OKNancy]

2. Yes, and a lot of working people get left out in a caucus

As a person who works evenings and Saturdays, I appreciate the primary so much more.

[Maeve]

3. Caucuses are a great idea in principle, but..

Not practical for larger populations and the busy schedules of most people. I prefer the primary system.

[mgarretson]

9. I'm unfamiliar with caucuses...

Can someone caucus in absentia if they're out of town or unable to leave home/work, etc.?

I like the idea of a caucus generally because it raises the knowledge level of those participating and also makes those caucus goers defend their choice but I don't think it fits in well with a busy modern schedule...

-Mike

[ChickMagic]

4. We have both

in Texas. I like that system. First you vote, then you come back at 7:15 for the caucus. You have direct influence yet you also have the face to face.

[Lisa0825]

6. I am in Texas too, and I have a question...

what exactly is the relationship between our primary and caucus? Does the primary vote really count? Until this election, I never even knew we had both.

[ChickMagic]

7. The primary vote counts somewhat

I think it's every 25 votes for a particular candidate gets a precinct delegate - the precinct chairman figures the percentages for each candidate to determine how many delegates go to the senatorial convention. If your precinct doesn't have a chairperson, any voter can call the caucus to order.

I knew there was a caucus before this election, but I had no idea where/when it was. I'm pretty excited to be participating this time.

[Cleita]

5. I don't think the problem is how it's done but when it's done.

When a few states determine the front runners before anyone else has had a chance to choose their candidate, there is room for the railroading of other popular candidates by special interests. This is not a big problem when only two or three candidates are running, but a big problem when there are more.

I just got into a fight with my husband this morning while we are heading out to the polls. He will chose either Kerry or Edwards because he feels he can't vote otherwise. I will vote for my candidate of choice anyway in protest or maybe I will leave that place blank. I haven't decided yet, because I know the majority of the sheep will vote like my husband in the mistaken assumption to do otherwise would be throwing away their vote. You can't throw away something that was taken from you and one of the preselected candidates will come out on top.

I think primaries should be run on the same day for twenty-four hours from Hawaii to the east coast. This way time zones will cover everyone in their waking hours. As a matter-of-fact I think all national elections should be held this way.

Flame me if you must, but I felt the need to be truthful instead of cautious.

[Zynx]

8. Caucuses have only one advantage over primaries, but its a big one.

Many people who vote in primaries know very little about the issues or the people they are voting for. Caucuses allow them to become better informed.

[flaminbats]

10. Caucuses also allow voters to support the candidate getting delegates.

With primaries the voters don't know which candidate is the most likely to win a delegate in their district, and can only vote for a candidate once.

Another problem which I have encountered with primaries, the precinct workers where I vote have grown more hostile to individuals voting in the Democratic primaries over the past ten years. They used to ask every individual if they would vote Democratic or Republican...unless there was only one name on a ballot, then the choice was usually obvious. But in the last two elections we were asked "Which primary do you vote in....Republican?"

This time I was asked a second time, and finally...after the third round of being questioned, I asked "Is there more than one candidate in the Republican primary?"

With an extremely pissed look on her face she whined "WELL NO.."

Then I asked her "Why should I waste my vote in a primary with only one candidate?"

Not once was I respectfully asked in this election, if I wished to vote in the Democratic Primary!

At that point I finally was handed my voting card and left alone, but I look forward to moving soon and voting in a place where I don't have to first face an Inquisition!