Why a caucus in Missouri (a brief summary):
Missouri was set to lose 1/2 of its Republican delegates at the National Convention due to the fact that its presidential primary date was bumped up to Tuesday, February 7th.  To keep from Missouri losing its power at the convention it was decided that Missouri would go to a caucus to pick its candidate for president.  Click here to learn more about why Missouri was going to lose 1/2 of its delegates.

Because of some problems with the political process in the state of Missouri there was still a presidential primary on Tuesday, February 7th however, the candidate that was selected out of this election (Santorum) will not "count" as Missouri's candidate for president; the candidate who is selected out of the caucus system will be our official candidate.

Basic difference between a primary and a caucus:
A primary is like any election you have participated in where you go to a designated polling place within a certain timeframe and cast a secret ballot.  There is no electioneering within a certain radius of a polling location.  The atmosphere is very quiet and respectful.

A caucus is an event where registered voters gather together at the same time and vote for delegates who will represent them at the national convention.  Electioneering is allowed and you are allowed to tell other people how you think they should vote.  The atmosphere is very loud and energetic.

When is the caucus:

County Level
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Congressional level
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State Level
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What do I need to do to caucus:
You will need to be a registered voter in your county to caucus.  This will be checked when you come to caucus.  Please bring with you your voter registration card and your driver's license or an ID. 

The caucus could possibly be a long process, (based on how many delegates participate and how much debate there is on rules and other issues.  A caucus could last from an hour or two to late in the afternoon.) There may be a lot of down time for you.  Feel free to bring your laptop, your kindle, knitting, a book, homework, or something to occupy your time.

Delegates Info:
Each county will get delegates based on how many people voted in 2008.  Each county will select number a certain number of delegates to represent the county on the congressional level and the state level as well as the same number of alternates.  (ie. Christian county has 37 delegates assigned to them.  There will be 37 delegates for the congressional caucus, 37 alternative delegates for the congressional caucus, 37 delegates for the state caucus, and 37 alternative delegates for the state caucus.) 

Each county will determine how they select their delgates.  The same list of delegates could represent the county on the congressional level and the state level or there could be different lists.  (These are local SW MO counties)

     Barry County- 14 delegates
     Barton County- 7 delegates
     Cedar County- 6 delegates
     Christian County- 37 delegates
     Dade County- 5 delegates
     Dallas County- 7 delegates
     Douglas County- 7 delegates
     Greene County- 111 delegates
     Hickory County- 5 delegates
     Jasper County- 46 delegates
     Laclede County- 16 delegates
     Lawrence County- 17 delegates
     McDonald County- 8 delegates
     Newton County- 26 delegates
     Ozark County- 5 delegates
     Polk County- 13 delegates
     St. Clair County- 5 delegates
     Stone County- 16 delegates
     Taney County- 22 delegates
     Webster County- 15 delegates (11 to the 4th district, 4 to the 7th district)
     Wright County- 9 delegates

These will be nominated and elected during the county level caucus; the delegates (i.e slate) will go onto the congressional level caucus or the state caucus (depending on how slates were voted on during your county caucus).  In addition, each congressional level will get 3 delegates to send directly to the National convention that will bypass the state caucus and represent the congressional district.

Missouri will have 52 total delegates.  Because Missouri is not a winner takes all state our delegates will be determined as followed: 10 at-large delegates (picked at the state caucus level), 24 congressional district delegates (8 districts with 3 delegates each- picked at the congressional caucus level), 3 state party delegates, and 15 bonus delegates (picked at the state caucus level.)

More information:
There is no such thing as an absentee vote at a caucus.  If you cannot attend your caucus you cannot vote.

Learn more about the caucus and delegate selection from the Missouri Republican Party.  Click here

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