How does one vote in a Primary?

[druidity33]

Googling has not been helping. I live in Massachusetts and from what i can figure out, it seems like each district (Congressional?) has a caucus and each caucus nominates a delegate. That delegate goes to the convention and votes in the Primary for a nominee. Have i got that right? Does this mean that a registered Democratic voter can't actually record a vote for their nominee of choice? What if your delegate is an asshole?

Please help... i want to stand up and shout loudly for my chosen nominee, but can't figure out how i will be able to do that!

[MonkeyFunk]

1. The Massachusetts primary is March 4th

You just register to vote as a Democrat, and you should be able to go to your nearest polling place on that day and cast your vote.

[druidity33]

3. what's the deal then

with Caucuses and delegates? What function do they serve in the Pre-Presidential election action?

Did you get that date from the DNC website?

thanks for your help...

[MonkeyFunk]

4. Some states

choose their delegates by caucus. Usually that means people gathering together on the day of the caucus and publicly voicing their preference.

Massachusetts, however, has a primary, not a caucus. You just go and vote like any other election.

Now, behind the scenes, you're probably not votng for a candidate per se, but for delegates committed to that candidate - just like when you vote for President you're not actually voting for the candidate, but for a slate of electors pledged to that candidate.

[druidity33]

5. trying to understand this

Does that mean that if 75% of the people in my district vote for let's say, Dennis Kucinich, does the delegate then HAVE to support DK in the convention? Do they all go to the National Convention?

Basically, if the Primary voters in my state support one candidate by a significant margin, is that candidate then the one that is "elected" by MA to be the nominee? Can the DNC ignore the nominee "elected" by the people?

How does one vote for/support a delegate?

Thanks again for the civics lesson...

[MonkeyFunk]

7. No

the delegation is split. In 2004, Massachusetts sent 105 delegates for Kerry and 15 for Edwards.

[druidity33]

16. Ah... thank you

I think you've answered all my questions. I appreciate you taking time to respond.

Peace out...

:)

[Orangepeel]

12. I can tell you how it works in Florida

The primary vote is really a vote for delegates to the convention. The number of votes a candidate gets in the primary determines how many delegates that candidate gets. A candidate has to get at least 15% of the vote to get any delegates.

In Florida, the actual delegates are picked later, at a caucus. (in other states, I believe, they are also voted on during the primary). Delegates are selected to be gender balanced and the campaign has to approve the slate. So, delegates who are chosen to represent a candidate at a convention are loyal to that candidate, even though there is no legal requirement to vote for that candidate. Florida also sends a number of other people to the convention (or they might this time if they get their shit together!:))! The "extras" are state elected officials, party bigwigs, big donors, members of underrepresented groups, etc.

[MannyGoldstein]

10. In MA, You Can Register As "Unenrolled" And Vote In Dem OR Repub Primaries

Sometimes it's fun to mess with the Rethugs. Actually, I think that most voters in my bluest of states are registered as "unenrolled".

[BlooInBloo]

2. Seriously? None of these links has the answer? Like, say, the first one?

http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&q=massachusetts+primary+vote&btnG=Google+Search&num=100

[druidity33]

6. seriously...

cut the fuckin snark man. All of "these links" are obtuse and word weighty. I'm looking for simple answers, like "when is it?" and "how can i be sure my voice is heard?". Not particularly my fault that our system of education has abandoned Civics as a required class... and i was in AP throughout HS.

You wanna help? Try explaining to me what the point of having a delegate and a caucus is if we're all supposed to just vote in the Primary...

[BlooInBloo]

8. Ah. Simple. I understand your problem now....

EDIT: Yet another American unwilling to read in order to protect his/her own fucking rights. And people wonder how America got into the mess we're in. Sheesh.

[countingbluecars]

13. Why not ask this question

on a political site such as DU?

[druidity33]

15. welcome to ignore... nt

[alfredo]

9. Monday call your county party, or go to the website of your county

party or state party. You might find a phone number or numerous e-mail address. You will get the correct and most timely answers.

[rurallib]

11. Democratic.

[ISUGRADIA]

14. Simply Put

You will vote for a candidate for president. That candidate will have put up a slate of delegates to be elected. How many votes your candidate gets will determine the number of delegates he or she gets. Candidate normally has to get 15% of the vote in a congressional district to win at least one delegate.