What is a caucus?

This election year,  it is important to brush up on

important processes  that carry us  to Election Day.

The American use  of “caucus”  was first used in  18th century Boston  to refer to  a political club.

Today, caucuses play an essential role in shaping American government.

Over time, the concept of caucuses evolved to refer to two distinct forms of political organization:

party caucuses  and  legislative caucuses.

Party caucuses provide voters with an opportunity to gather with members of their political party and nominate a candidate for an upcoming election.

In presidential elections, party caucuses do not directly elect a candidate, but rather determine the number of state delegates pledged to vote for a candidate at the party’s national convention.

Legislative caucuses provide elected representatives an opportunity to meet others

with shared political interests and objectives.

The most well-known legislative caucuses are

congressional caucuses.