Democrats set mock precinct caucus

Lampasas County Democrats invite all interested Democrats to attend a "mock" precinct convention Tuesday at 6 p.m. at 602 S. Walnut.

Significant voter turnout is expected for the March 4 primary, which may be 200 percent above the participation level two years ago, said Boyd Richie, Texas Democratic Party chairman.

Local Democrats also are encouraging voters to attend the precinct conventions that follow the primary election at the March 4 polling places.

"Many voters overlook the precinct caucuses from lack of experience, but almost a third of the delegates to the national convention are selected by the caucus process," said Betty Lindsey, past president of the Democratic Women's Association of Lampasas.

Democrats who hope to get the most delegates for their presidential candidate need to be at the caucuses on March 4, she added.

"The caucus hasn't been important in recent presidential elections in Texas because the candidate had been decided before Texans voted," said Keith King, county Democratic chairman.

"Because of the intensity in this presidential campaign, our state party wants to be certain that precinct conventions are fair, orderly and disciplined in order to promote confidence in the outcome.

"To foster this atmosphere, we can hold a mock convention without the pressures of the true campaigns so participants will feel comfortable on March 4," King said.

Dan Melder, candidate for Democratic county chair, joined King in encouraging interested Democrat voters to attend the mock convention Tuesday.

"The more voters participate in the process, the more they'll support the decision," he said.

"I haven't seen interest like this among young people in the last two elections, and we want to keep their participation," said Melder.