Colorado changed to the caucus system in 2004 for the presidential primaries in an effort to save the state money. I was thinking yesterday, why didn’t I attend the caucus in 2004. Then it dawned on me it was in April 2004, which happened to be when I spent three weeks traveling in New Zealand. Also by the time the caucus was held, the nominations had been determined. The missed caucus in 2004 would mark the second time I had not voted in an election, the other being a minor non-November election in Arizona. The election at that time was so minor, I don’t recall even hearing much about it in the days preceding the event.
This year things are a little different and it is not really known who will be the nominee or when they will be determined, but by Wednesday morning we should have a better understanding. In the past with the traveling I did as a software implementation consultant, I would have missed my opportunity to caucus today. However that will not be the case at all, as I become the first person in my immediate family to attend a caucus. Growing up in Illinois and California you would hear about the caucuses in Iowa, but never have the opportunity to understand or participate in one. In the past few weeks there has been some information in the local press about what to expect at the caucuses but I will soon find out on my own how the caucus system works in Colorado. It should be an interesting evening tonight starting at 7:00 PM, or make that 6:30 PM as both parties suggest since the doors close at 7:00 PM sharp.