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Political Cartoons
What is a Caucus
By Cartoon: Paul Zanetti, Australia
Project: Cynthia Kirkeby, ClassBrain
Apr 16, 2008, 20:29 PST



© Paul Zanetti, Australia 2008


If you’re trying to figure out what a caucus is, you’re probably not the only one. It turns out that a caucus is simply a group of people who gather to discuss a common interest. There are all sorts of caucuses, including the Black Caucus, the National Women’s Caucus, and state caucuses such as the Iowa Caucus.

In Texas, both candidates have been claiming victory This came about because of the way delegates are chosen by the caucus after the populous vote is completed. Although Hilliary eeked out the win during the polulus vote, Obama may very well end up with the larger number of delegates after the caucus delegates are added, but no one will know for quite a bit yet.

A caucus, in relation to democratic state voting, is a technique of determining the number of delegates, who will be sent to the district level to vote on which candidates will receive the party’s delegates.

  • People meet throughout the state in small groups to discuss the party candidates.
  • Then, they break into groups by candidate and give speeches about why others should vote the same way.
  • The undecided voters also gather together in groups, which are then visited by the partisan voters, in an attempt to win them over.
  • At the end of the caucus, votes are cast by sign-in sheet, raised hands, or group count.


In some states the caucus chooses delegates which are sent to the county conventions to vote for the candidates as representatives of the state’s voters. In other states, like Texas, caucuses add additional delegates to those chosen by the 31 State Senate District Primaries. In some states, this caucus process is a winner-take-all event, while in other states the delegates are awarded in a proportional manner.

Questions to Ponder

  • Should the democratic party do away with the caucus system?

  • In Texas, where there was not enough room to let everyone into the buildings where the caucuses occurred should there be some other accommodation made for those who were blocked from participating?

  • Do you think Hillary should sue over the caucus structure in Texas after Obama was awarded the majority of the delegates in the state?

  • Should the Federal government standardize the way states hold their elections?

  • would you want to participate in a political caucus on your area?



Learning Links for the Democratic Political Caucus







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