Maine caucus info?

[skooooo]

Anyone know when it starts? Any Mainers going to it today from DU?

I can't find much info. on it, and no one in the media is talking about it. It's almost like there isn't anything going on today . I can't wait to see what happens!

[bunnies]

1. starts at 3pm. nt

[NWHarkness]

4. No, every town sets it's own time.

I posted some info here, about some of the towns and how it's expected to go.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4514950&mesg_id=4514950

[bunnies]

10. Oh no kidding!

wow. Thanks for setting me straight. I just figured they were all at the same time. I guess 3pm is just my friends town. kinda strange!

[NWHarkness]

13. This is REAL grassroots

Some towns have only one place to meet and they may have to arrange their caucus based on it's availability. Some caucuses in small towns will even be in private homes.

And staggering towns allows experienced people, such as county chairs, to go to more than one town, and help in places where no one has caucus experience.

It also allows local candidates, for county offices, the state legislature, etc, to make appearances at more than one caucus in their district.

[Renew Deal]

2. Here's some info

http://www.mainedems.org/2008MaineCaucusFrequentlyAskedQuestions.aspx

[fight4my3sons]

3. Different times around the state.

Mine has a sign in time at 2pm caucus starts at 2:30.

[Raven]

5. I have only weather info. It's snowing yet again here in NH and

I suspect the storm is heading across NH into Maine this afternoon. Having said that, Mainers are tough and won't let a little white stuff stop them!

[Little Star]

6. I looked it up this morning and

They begin at 1pm, and each caucus has a different time (1pm,2pm,3pm, etc.)and end at 8pm.
It is closed only to registered Republicans, anyone else can participate if I remember correctly.

[NWHarkness]

8. maine has same day registration

Town clerks will be at the caucus sites to register new voters and to allow unenrolled voters to enroll as democrats. Members of other parties (GOP and Green) can not change their registration and vote.

[eShirl]

11. I was told by a volunteer caller one can register as a Democrat at the caucus location

but you can't caucus unless you register as a Democrat (or are already registered as a Democrat)

[NWHarkness]

14. That's correct

And, under Maine law, you can change back to unenrolled in 30 days if you wish.

[fight4my3sons]

12. yes....

Here are a few more rules and guidelines that should make your day run smoothly:

If you are not on the voter rolls, you can register on-site and participate in the caucus.
If you are not currently enrolled in any party, you can register at the caucus site.
If you will be 18 by November 4, 2008, you may register and take part in the caucus

[eShirl]

7. different times in different locations

you can find yours here
http://www.mainedems.org/caucus08.aspx

[NWHarkness]

17. Good luck in Augusta!

I'm getting ready to go set up for Belfast in a few minutes. We are expecting a huge turnout. We had about 160 people in 2004, we are preparing for 400 today.

[napi21]

9. Someone on cspan this AM aid there are several different starting

times n the different caucus sites across Main. He specifically pointed out that it was different than Iowa in that they allow early votig to be counted, AND thereare different times to accomodate siffere voter schedules. I don't recall theguy's name, bu he wa a reporter forone of the Man newspapers. I think he said the latest time he was aware of was 6PM.

[NWHarkness]

15. Sebago and Porter are 6:30

According to the list I got from the MDP, those are the latest ones.

It's not entirely complete though, so there might be a couple other late ones.

[NWHarkness]

16. This is what I posted last night

Each town in Maine sets it's own caucus time, so when you are watching results come in, keep that in mind.

I would expect Obama to do better earlier in the day, as Bangor and Orono (U-Maine) caucus at 1:00, and those are likely to be his best big towns.

All signs are that Clinton should do best in Lewiston and in the Portland area. Lewiston caucuses at 1:00, but Portland doesn't go until 4:00, Westbrook at 3:00 and Yarmouth at 5:00.

Augusta also doesn't go until 4:00, but I don't know how it's thought to lean. I think Obama will do very well in a lot of smaller towns in the Midcoast, Down East and in Aroostook, Clinton is strongest in the larger towns in the south. So, if results start coming in piecemeal, keep all this in mind

*Adding the caveat that with record turnouts expected, any of this "conventional wisdom" could be way off the mark.