Democrat party caucus

slated for Saturday

By Candice Boutilier

Herald staff writer

Primary doesn't select presidential candidate

COLUMBIA BASIN - The Grant County Democrats are holding caucuses throughout the Columbia Basin to elect delegates to represent a presidential candidate Saturday afternoon.

The event officially begins at 1 p.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m., Grant County Democrats Executive Committee Chair Ellen Webb said. Citizens are encouraged to come early, she added.

Webb said the purpose of the meeting is to elect delegates from each of the 63 precincts who will go on to represent the presidential candidate chosen at the caucus meeting.

She said eventually the delegates can move onto the county convention April 19 and the national level to represent and support the candidate.

Webb said there has been some confusion about the caucus and the ballot received in the mail by registered voters. She said when people vote for a presidential candidate using the ballot received in the mail, the vote does not count toward electing delegates. She said the information is more useful to the presidential candidate. She added, the only way to elect a delegate to represent a candidate is to attend the meeting.

Webb said special accommodations can be made for people who are unable to attend the caucuses. She said if someone is active in the military or is physically unable to attend the caucus, they can send a surrogate to vote for them. She said the surrogate is not allowed to vote for themselves in addition to the person they are representing.

If senior citizens need assistance getting to the caucus, party members are willing to accommodate those in need.

To participate in the caucus, citizens must be registered to vote within the correct precinct. Webb added, if a 17-year-old citizen turns 18 before the Nov. 4 election, he or she can vote at the primary and be elected as a delegate.

She said although presentations are not scheduled for the caucuses, there will be some speeches depending on the locations.

To find the location of precinct caucuses, visit www.columbiabasinherald.com, www.grantcountydemocrats.com or contact the Grant County Auditor's Office at 509-754-2011.

For more information or assistance in attending a caucus, contact Webb at 509-764-7373.

Democratic caucus information:

Saturday, Feb. 9, starting at 1 p.m.

• Frontier Middle School cafeteria: This location is the caucus site for all Moses Lake and Warden precincts, Mae Valley, Cascade Valley, O'Sullivan Dam, Gloyd and Stratford.

• Ephrata High School library: This location includes all Ephrata precincts, Soap Lake 2, Lakeview, Greenville and Block 71.

• Soap Lake High School library: This location includes all 12th Legislative Districts including Soap Lake Rural, Soap Lake 1, Hartline, Marlin and Wilson Creek.

• Quincy High School library: This location includes all Quincy and George precincts.

• Red Rock Elementary gym: This includes all Royal City, Smyrna, Mattawa, Beverly and West Slope precincts.