By Cynthia Dill

State Representative (D-Cape Elizabeth)

Our version of the Iowa caucus is happening Feb. 10 at the Cape
Elizabeth High School. If you want to have any say in who the
Democratic presidential candidate is, show up at 12:30 p.m. and caucus
with the rest of us. Kids are welcome. Baked goods and steaming hot
coffee are included. It’s not fancy but it is important grass roots
politics at the core, and a chance to see many friends and neighbors.

“Cape Democrats have a very good reputation with respect to caucus
turnout. We anticipate in excess of 300 participants,” says Jamie
Wagner, the chairman of the Cape Elizabeth Democrats.

Some people may confuse a primary election with a caucus. The caucus is
when the local registered Democrats (or anyone who wishes to be a
registered Democrat) meet all around the state on the date chosen by
the Maine Democratic Party in order to accomplish the following:

1. We choose our Democratic presidential candidate.

2. We select our delegates to the state convention to be held on May 30 and June 1 in Augusta.

3. We organize our town Democratic committee.

4. We choose people to represent us on the Cumberland County Democrat Committee.

Because so many Cape Democrats typically turn out for our local caucus, we exert some muscle on the state level.

“In 2008, Cape Democrats will send 39 delegates to the state
convention, whereas a bigger town, Windham, only will send 35
delegates, even though it has roughly 5,000 more residents. This is
because Cape has a very participatory electorate. We are proud of
that,” Wagner says.

Even greater turnout this year will mean more influence in 2012.

Cape’s 39 presidential delegates will go to the state Democratic
Convention in Augusta on May 30 and June 1 as delegates for the various
candidates (The number of delegates for each candidate is determined
using a mathematical formula, according to how many caucus goers voted
for each candidate). In Augusta, there will be a repeat of the caucus
process (albeit on a much larger scale) with various delegates for
respective candidates coming together and being given a certain
percentage of the total state delegate seats to go on to the national
convention in Denver, Colorado, where the Democratic Party will choose
its candidate to run in the November presidential election.

The local caucus is also a time when candidates for the congressional
races can seek nominating petition signatures, and state candidates can
collect the $5 checks needed to run as a Clean Election candidate for
the Maine House of Representatives or Senate.

The Maine Democratic Primary will take place on June 10 and is totally
separate from the February caucus. It is not a “presidential primary”
so there will not be any presidential candidates on the ballot.
Instead, the primary will be an opportunity to vote for a Democratic
candidate in the U.S. House of Representatives race, and any other
state race with more than one Democrat vying for the party nomination.
There are a number of candidates running for the 1st District seat in
the U.S. Congress, including Chellie Pingree, Adam Cote, Ethan
Strimling, Mark Lawrence, and Mike Brennan. Since there appears to be
no one running against Tom Allen, there will not be a primary for the
U.S. Senate race. Allen is the candidate who will appear on the ballot
in November.

Back to the Feb. 10 caucus. Voters registered as Greens or Republicans
who want to join us at our caucus must change their registration by
Jan. 26. New voters, or those not registered in a political party may
become Democrats at the caucus.

“Please don’t be discouraged if you have not caucused before,” Wagner says. “We’ll explain it to you.”  

It’s important to get there on time. Registration begins at 12:30 p.m.,
and doors are closed at 1:30 p.m. There will be brief talks given by
local, state and federal candidates or their representatives and lots
of discussion about the party platform.

Out of town that weekend but eager to participate? Do not worry. You
can participate by mail. Applications will be available from the Maine
Democratic Party. Call 207-622-6233 or go to MaineDems.org and download
an application.

Wagner, who will also serve as the convener of the caucus, is working
hard to ensure a good turn out and success. He is optimistic and
excited as are many of us. There is a lot to look forward to and we are
very fortunate to be able to participate in the democratic process
safely and effectively.

“We hope to see you there,” says Wagner.