Vocal Point: Chaos of caucus isn’t democracy

After living in the Spokane Valley for 35 years and wondering how a caucus works, I decided this election was so important it was time to find out. I went to a class to see what to expect and am now qualified to run the precinct caucus. I went to a second meeting to be trained how to campaign for my candidate at the caucus.

On caucus morning, I arrived at Horizon Middle School at 9 a.m. – an hour before doors were supposed to open – to help. The lunchroom was already jam-packed. It was chaos! So many were not registered and needed help with precinct numbers, and there was not enough help. It was not organized due to the doors being unlocked too early. The person in charge was frazzled, and bellowing inappropriately, “Get away from this table, I am organizing this.” Fine way for first timers to be treated. As I was trying to help people, so many said, “This is my first caucus.” They were almost apologizing for not knowing what to do. I told them it was my first and last. Inefficiency and disorganization drive me crazy.

Finally, it was time for the people to go to their precincts. The person in charge of our precinct was a substitute teacher and acted like he had been given the instructions as he walked in the door. He definitely liked to hear himself talk and read the two pages of instructions and itinerary to us. There were a couple of people who seemed like this was not their first caucus, as they guided him and told him how things worked. We were to start caucusing at 10:30 a.m. statewide. At 11:10, we still had not started until someone made the motion. This definitely is not how I wanted to spend my time.

Not only did the disorganization waste my time, I’m not sure it was truly representative of area Democrats.

I called many people to remind them of caucus day. A number of them were older than 60, had never been to a caucus and didn’t understand what it was all about. Many of the 80- to 90-year-olds knew who they would vote for, but felt too old to go.

It is time everyone’s vote is considered important. The results would probably be a lot different. We need a primary. We are a state who mails in our votes all the time, why not now? The caucus is very undemocratic!