I, too, live in WA and was wondering why we have caucuses and primary. Answers here:
washingtonvoter.org
Main points:
Responding to concerns about the accessibility of caucuses, a law (RCW 29A.56.010) requiring a presidential primary was adopted in 1989. As noted in the law, the primary was designed to make it easier for "the elderly, the infirm, women, the disabled, evening workers, and others who are unable to attend caucuses and therefore unable to fully participate in this most important quadrennial event that occurs in our democratic system of government" to take part in choosing a candidate for president. All Washington State voters can participate in the presidential primary that will be held on Tuesday, February 19, 2008.
Currently, the state Republican Party will use the presidential primary to apportion 19 of its 40 delegates to the national convention, and will use the caucus results at the state level to determine the allocation of 18 of its delegates. The remaining three delegates will be filled by party officials.
Currently, the state Democratic Party will not allocate any delegates to its national convention based on the results of the presidential primary. Delegates to its national convention will mostly be chosen through the caucus system, with a few delegate positions reserved for party officials. |
