Caucus: Questions for critic of the process

Re: “Caucus is as effective as a voter-suppression law” (Your Voice, 4-20).

The writer attended the Democratic legislative district caucus and found it disorganized. He thinks a ballot should replace it. A couple things:

▪  Was this his first caucus?

▪  Did he volunteer to help run it?

▪  Did he bring anything to eat or drink? Any food or drink to share?

▪  Delegates/alternates: Were they on time, with paperwork?

▪  While he waited, did he exchange ideas with other attendees? With supporters, or the other side, too?

▪  Ever register voters or get out the vote?

A lot of us brought our enthusiasm to the first caucus we had ever attended, and it was something to behold. The first caucus was democracy at its vibrant best. Supporters of Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and undecideds shared their views.

The second caucus saw two camps reduced to competing cheers. That’s too bad because we are at our best when we show up on time, willing to help and listen, to persuade or be persuaded.

But we need practice. The caucuses will run more smoothly the more we participate. Holding a primary instead of a caucus just separates us from the process of understanding and doesn’t much shape the democracy we live in.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 12:50 PM with the headline "Caucus: Questions for critic of the process."