Political parties in Kansas will caucus on March 5 to determine presidential preference votes. Based on those votes, Republicans and Democrats will allocate delegates to their national conventions later this year.
- The Republican caucuses begin at 10 a.m.
- The Democrats begin to caucus at 3 p.m. (registration starts at 1 p.m.)
What exactly is a caucus? Unlike a primary election, "neighbors gather together in the same space to debate the policies and relative merits of candidates, instead of just checking a square on a ballot." More: Bustle.com
There are differences in how each party handles its caucuses. The common factor is the allocation of delegates.
REPUBLICANS
1. Who can take part? You must be a registered member of the party (by Feb. 4) if you want to take part. Be sure to bring your government-issued photo ID.
2. What happens at the caucus?
- The chair of the caucus will call the meeting to order at 10:00 AM.
- Representatives from various campaigns can present information about their candidate.
- Ballots will be distributed to voters.
3. When will we know the results? "The caucus chair will announce the results of their caucus after all of the ballots have been cast and counted. The state party will post statewide results on the party website as they are received and verified." ksgop.org
4. How does my vote count? As the Kansas GOP website explains it, "delegates are representatives of the caucus voters." There are 40 delegates and 37 alternate delegates.
5. Where do the caucus meetings take place? Venues include schools, churches, restaurants, armories, even hotel lobbies. Find local 2016 locations here, and find the full list of 2016 locations here.
More: Find FAQs about the Kansas GOP caucus
Want more election news and information?
- VOTER GUIDE: Your Vote Counts
- DECISION 2016: Follow the campaigns
DEMOCRATS
1. Who can take part? You must be a registered Democrat to vote, and you can actually register at the caucus. Aside from that, caucus voters must be eligible to vote in state of Kansas and be 18 years old by November 8, 2016.
2. What happens at the caucus?
- All attendees must register from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.
- Eligible caucus goers divide to form presidential preference groups.
- If a preference group does not have at least 15 percent of total caucus goers, voters can join another preference group or try to bring more people into into their group
- Delegates are then awarded to the preference groups based on their size
3. When will we know the results? Estimates are around 9:00 p.m.
4. How does my vote count? Democratic Party officials will allocate 33 of the 37 delegates based on the caucus votes.
- Of the 33, eleven are awarded proportionally statewide, while 22 are awarded by congressional district
- Four are “super-delegates” and are unpledged
5. Where do the caucus meetings take place? Caucuses take place in Senate districts across Kansas. Find the local 2016 locations here, and find the 2015 locations here.
