WA going from caucus to hybrid Primary/Caucus

[WOT?*]

This is local, but I thought those who dislike the caucus system would appreciate it as well. WA Dems held their convention this weekend and held a vote as to whether the caucus system would remain for 2020 or if the party would move to a hybrid primary/caucus system, wherein primaries would be held to determine the allocation of delegates and caucuses held to elect the delegates for the candidates.

Had this been the case in 2016, Hillary Clinton would have had 53% of the delegates of Washington State and Bernie Sanders 46%, rendering the "but WA state was overwhelmingly for Bernie" arguments moot and faithless electors excoriated. Washington holds primaries for Democrats simply because Republicans have held them and state laws prohibit one party holding a primary, so Dems were on the ballot as well. Folks voted in primaries because they didn't realize their votes don't count. Washington literally had EIGHT TIMES the number of people participate in the 2016 primary over the (precinct) caucus. And the primaries went to Hillary by a significant margin. In 2020, those votes will count, and will decide how the delegates will be allocated. No more Caucus Math.

And for those in Washington who were interested in the vote, it was 121 for primaries, 40 for caucus and 8 abstaining. There has been a lot of discussion and contention, but I'm glad this won out, and solidly so. It's been needed for a very long time.

[picksthemusic]

Thank God.

[pumpkin]

Thank goodness! I agree it's been a long time coming.

[WOT?*]

Now all we have to do is make sure we have the plan in order for the national to accept. Sooo looking forward to not being shouted down and called ignorant and a vagina voter in 2020.

[oliverboliverbutt]

In Iowa, we'll now have the option to vote via a virtual caucus instead of showing up in person, but my understanding is that no matter how many people choose this option, it'll still only count for 10%. And superdelagates are tied to caucus results. I seriously hate caucuses, and don't think this helps nearly enough. This year is already going to be extra long with so many candidates- Last time we were there for maybe 2 hrs and it was just the two of them- no realigning or speeches.

[WOT?*]

Apr 8, 2019 8:13:55 GMT -5 oliverboliverbutt said:

In Iowa, we'll now have the option to vote via a virtual caucus instead of showing up in person, but my understanding is that no matter how many people choose this option, it'll still only count for 10%. And superdelagates are tied to caucus results. I seriously hate caucuses, and don't think this helps nearly enough. This year is already going to be extra long with so many candidates- Last time we were there for maybe 2 hrs and it was just the two of them- no realigning or speeches.

That was one of the options set forth by the "caucus" supporters, as well as more excuses/reasons to allow absentee ballots.

Arguments included "But if you vote by primary, how will you be able to change your vote if...?" (a candidate withdraws, or for whatever reason might exist in their minds.)  The same way every other state does it? You take your chances and support your candidate, just like everyone else.

There is also a 15% threshold as it stands. If a single candidate reaches 15% of the primary votes then all delegates will be allocated to that candidate. "But that's not fair! What if there's such a large pool that they split and only one candidate gets to 15%." Then the ground game for that candidate is better and s/he's earned it. S/he knew how to play the game and get the votes in. (You'd think the Berners would jump at this, with the "but the majority of the state supports Bernie and his Progressive ideals!" but nope, they *still* want to be able to yell at other people and try to verbally beat them into changing their votes in caucuses.) If no single candidate reaches 15% then the delegates are apportioned and caucuses held to select convention delegates. So, yes, there will still be caucuses where you can accuse your neighbor of not knowing shit about the candidates and their policies. 

[pugz]

I haaaaaate the caucus system in KS. Haaaaate

[Deleted]

Apr 8, 2019 9:27:26 GMT -5 pugz said:

I haaaaaate the caucus system in KS. Haaaaate

I have a friend who lives in KS. Her caucus location is 100 miles from her home. She is a political science professor and didn’t caucus in 2016 because who the fuck had time to drive 200 miles round trip on a Tuesday night?

The fact that we still have caucuses at all is so maddening.

[WOT?*]

Apr 8, 2019 9:35:06 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Apr 8, 2019 9:27:26 GMT -5 pugz said:

I haaaaaate the caucus system in KS. Haaaaate

I have a friend who lives in KS. Her caucus location is 100 miles from her home. She is a political science professor and didn’t caucus in 2016 because who the fuck had time to drive 200 miles round trip on a Tuesday night?

The fact that we still have caucuses at all is so maddening.

The whole "It's great to be able to meet in the living room of my neighbors to discuss politics" is such propoganda. We haven't met in anyone's front room for tea and cookies decades. Population booms, privacy, ADA requirements (especially ADA requirements)...

[bugandbibs]

I am so glad about this and I can even walk to my caucus location. The caucus system is so biased and flawed.

[pugz]

Apr 8, 2019 9:35:06 GMT -5 @angryharpy said:

Apr 8, 2019 9:27:26 GMT -5 pugz said:

I haaaaaate the caucus system in KS. Haaaaate

I have a friend who lives in KS. Her caucus location is 100 miles from her home. She is a political science professor and didn’t caucus in 2016 because who the fuck had time to drive 200 miles round trip on a Tuesday night?

The fact that we still have caucuses at all is so maddening.

the last time I caucused was in 2008. It was SUCH A CLUSTERFUCK. Tons of people showed up, which was not a surprise, but the actual execution of the counting once we were in the room was a madhouse and there was an ice storm and I just wanted to GTFO of there.  I was not medicated at the time, lol. 

it is my understanding that the Republicans dictate if we caucus or primary. 

[madDawg228]

I was so happy with this news this weekend. It's been a long time coming, and the fact that almost 95% of more than 12,800 people voted for the Primary delegate vote just shows how out-of-date the Caucus delegate vote is.

[WOT?*]

Apr 8, 2019 13:12:31 GMT -5 madDawg228 said:

I was so happy with this news this weekend. It's been a long time coming, and the fact that almost 95% of more than 12,800 people voted for the Primary delegate vote just shows how out-of-date the Caucus delegate vote is.

Yep. The results were about 12:1 in favor of a primary in the March survey by the state org. I think Tina P had been doing a great job at State. The guy who wanted to challenge her is the die-hard bro in our county org who was voted out as State Committee Member in the county org. (Niko Battle is a real up-and-coming young man who was elected at the November re-org to the position even before his 18th birthday in January. Keep an eye on him - and State Rep Jared Mead - for higher office in the future.) BernirBro then worked back in for his Legislative District when the dolly elected SCM resigned shortly after the election. The guy openly posts about taking down the party and gets ooh-rahs from far too many sycophants.

If you're in the 44th or know anybody in the 44th (John Lovick and Jared Mead's territory around South Everett, Mill Creek and Snohomish), consider becoming a PCO and at the next re-org (November 2020) vote him out. He's destructive and poisonous and far too many moderate Dems have left the org because of him.

+