News

10 Tips for Caucus Day!

March 23, 2016

10 Tips for Caucus Day (Saturday, March 26, 2016 at 10:00 am --- doors open at 9:30 am).

  1. Arrive on time. Washington caucuses don't "lock their doors" like some caucus states --- but if you arrive after your precinct has completed its final tally of presidential preferences, your support won't help.
  2. Know before you go. Know your precinct number and your caucus location. Find out both at the State Party website. Volunteers in the Spokane County Democrats office can also assist with precinct numbers and caucus locations --- call them on weekday mornings (509-324-8525).
  3. The first digit of a Spokane County precinct number indicates your legislative district assignment. Precinct 3220? In the 3rd Legislative District. Precinct 7001? In the 7th Legislative District.
  4. There's no need to stand in any line if you pre-register and bring your pre-registration printout with you. Simply go to your caucus location and find your precinct's table.
  5. Bring a pen or pencil with you. Even if you pre-register, you'll still need to express your presidential preference on your sign-in form on Caucus Day. An extra pen at your table always helps.
  6. Plan for a caucus session of just a bit over an hour. Caucuses start at 10:00 am and everything should be wrapped up by 11:00 am or shortly thereafter.
  7. Be prepared to talk about why you support your preferred candidate. You may be able to gain support from attendees who are undecided on Caucus Day.
  8. Want to be a delegate to the next level of the caucus process? Mark your calendar for Sunday, April 17th at 1:00 pm (if you live in the 3rd, 4th, or 6th Legislative Districts in Spokane County.) In the 7th or 9th Legislative Districts in Spokane County? Mark your calendar for Sunday, May 1 at 3:00 pm (it's Bloomsday).
  9. If you can't attend the next level of the caucus process, you're probably not the right person to be selected as a delegate since not attending the next level will cost your preferred candidate support they earned in your precinct. Being a "no show" at the next level of the caucus process helps your preferred candidate's opponent.
  10. Be ready to talk about why you want to be a delegate or an alternate to the next level of the caucus process. Practice your pitch --- you might be successful!