1.2 million people and we only get < 5000 to caucus?

[MrZach]

I'm very confused because, well, for one I thought turnout would be a lot higher, and secondly - Maine was being built up to be such a hot spot for Ron Paul support I figured that more than 851 out of the 1.2 million population would caucus for him...

Not being critical here, just really confused about how all this works... Please advise...

 

[RufusTDoofus]

The Maine GOP was totally stoked at the high level of voter turnout for the caucuses.

 

[JuniorNJ]

Stoked at 5000 of 1.2mil showing up? I'm afraid what normal looks like.

 

[RufusTDoofus]

There aren't 1.2 mil registered republicans in Maine.

I think there are about 275,000 registered republicans in the state. Only 28% of registered voters state wide are republicans. Still, 5k of 275k is pretty pathetic even though it's considered record turnout.

 

[CGMike]

A caucus and a primary are two completely different animals. For you primary folks all you have to do is show up and pull a lever for everything. Think of a caucus as a town hall meeting (which btw is how Maine's Local governments conduct most business, by having the voters have a direct say before actual voting) It really is the simplest form of democracy we have...and it works here.

Many voters don't have a few hours (or in the case of Portland, 6 hours) to give up on a weekend to get out and vote not just on canditates but on party issues, county chairmen, platforms, election clerks, delegates and alternates to state convention, etc etc etc.

 

[Truth Warrior]

Primaries almost always involve only a small fraction of the voters.

 

[Anna Karenina]

Its best to have low turnout in general because then only informed activists decide instead of people picking a candidate based on name recognition or looks. Of course we want high turnout of RP supporters at a low turnout event.

 

[thompsonisland]

It is a big process. Ours was over 4 hours. I was amazed at HOW MANY people stayed until the end, just to cast a vote in a straw poll. I don't think a lot of people understand that, in the caucus, it only counts if you run as a delegate.

That said, I am infuriated that EVERY SINGLE RP supporter hasn't voted, or run as a delegate. We all know it is an uphill battle. I have friends who are all for him winning, but they aren't willing to work for it. That is frustrating. I could understand if people didn't care, or just thought he was the lesser of the evils, but nobody thinks that. Either you think he should be the President or you don't, you know?

 

[Mike Conlon]

In my town of about 6500, only 23 people bothered to show up and vote their presidential preference... which was moved to the beginning of the meeting. Some left right after that. I stayed to see how things played out and I'm glad I did. When the call went out for state delegates, we didn't even have enough volunteers to fill the 13 regular spots (11 volunteers, including me), let alone the 13 alternate places. There was a rush to fill the county seats. I also volunteered as an Election Clerk.

FWIW, if there are any out there in Berwick ME, contact Vicki Ware (Town Rep Committee Chair) to see if there are any delegate slots open.

 

[subdefective]

My town had 23 people show up to the caucus, 6 of which were students from the university here (including me). The town said that this is the best turnout they've ever had from the students. The sad part is, my university boasts a population of about 10,000 students. Apparently .06% turnout is really amazing.

People really do care about our freedoms.. except when the time comes to do the work. *rolls eyes*

 

[Mike Conlon]

My town had 23 people show up to the caucus, 6 of which were students from the university here (including me). The town said that this is the best turnout they've ever had from the students. The sad part is, my university boasts a population of about 10,000 students. Apparently .06% turnout is really amazing.

People really do care about our freedoms.. except when the time comes to do the work. *rolls eyes*

This makes me hopeful that it wouldn't take too many to make a huge difference. But also makes me wary that some other cabal could come in and do the same... which maybe part of the problem with the religious right noticing the same thing and taking steps to entrench themselves in the Rep party.

 

[Badger Paul]

Too bad the turnout wasn't lower or we would have done better