I vote for primaries
The following is the opinion of the author and does not represent the views, opinions or policies of The Campus Press.
Why does Colorado caucus?
The process is not only outdated, confusing, belabored and inconvenient, but it also quietly disenfranchises anyone who cannot devote three hours of their lives on a weeknight to the caucus extravaganza.
It fails to truly represent the state of Colorado by appealing only to the politically passionate.
So why does Colorado caucus?
Well to put it plainly, the state is cheap.
Presidential primaries are expensive and in the caucus process, instead of the state using taxpayer’s money to pay it, all of the organizational costs fall upon the parties in each individual county, said Susan Boucher, spokeswoman for the Boulder County Democratic Party.
The fact that we won’t use taxpayer’s money in order to give everyone in our state an equal opportunity to choose the next leader of the United States is ludicrous and unacceptable.
Especially in this year’s election, every vote really does count.
I do agree that the caucus system can be an amazing grassroots movement, facilitating community interaction, allowing for political discussion and a generating knowledge about the candidates. But, in my caucus location as well as many others according to an
in the Daily Camera, the events were plagued by disorganization, inefficient time management and an inability to accommodate the tsunami of voters.
In my experience, the discussion of candidates was cut short because we had to vote before time was up while there wasn’t even an opportunity to vote for running for other positions.
I’m also not sure that the process of making neighbors stand on opposite ends of the room according to their vote facilitates a healthy neighborhood environment when everyone goes back home.
The idea is great, but reality doesn’t follow.
We are spending more than enough time and effort to host the Democratic National Convention-the least we can do is make sure we choose the candidates in a fair and representative manner.
The primary system should be re-instituted in Colorado (citizens voted to move to a caucus system in 2003). Although many times taken for granted, recent events in Russia, Kenya and Iran show that our political process is beautiful. No one should be left out.
Contact Campus Press staff writer Emery Cowan at emery.cowan@thecampuspress.com
