caucusing

Caucusing is a process used by some political parties to select candidates, determine delegates, or shape policy positions through meetings of party members. In this context, participants gather to discuss, persuade, and vote in a public or semi-public setting rather than casting private ballots.

In the United States, caucuses are a form of party nominating process that can supplement or replace primary elections. Local precinct caucuses typically convene at a set time and place where attendees declare preference for candidates or policy positions. Participants may engage in discussion, organize into groups by candidate, and vote for delegates to advance to county or district conventions, which in turn select delegates to state conventions and ultimately to the national party convention. Some caucuses also include realignment periods, where supporters of non-viable candidates may join with others to form viable groups.

The term caucus has an uncertain origin, but it has long been used to describe a gathering of party members for deliberation and decision making. While caucusing emphasizes active participation and debate, it tends to be time-consuming and requires presence at a specific location and time, which can limit broad participation. Consequently, some states have shifted toward or combined primary elections, where voters cast secret ballots, with or without a caucus component.

Beyond electoral nomination, the word caucus also refers to a meeting of members of a legislative or parliamentary party to discuss strategy and policy. In such contexts, caucuses serve as forums for coordination and internal coordination rather than public nomination events.