What's the diff between a caucus & a ballot vote? I don't mean physically, I mean Bernie won almost

[napi21]

all the caucus States in 2015, but so far has lost those same States but they switched to a ballot instead of a caucus. He also won this year in the first 3 States but they also were caucuses. What is the difference that made it happen for Sanders?

[drray23]

1. In a caucus younger people tend to show up

And they bully the others into caucusing for Sanders.

[samnsara]

7. yes that happened last time. Before that it was usually older folks who had been in..

...politics for years. Silver haired activists! Thanks bernie!

[bottomofthehill]

2. The difference is more people get to vote

Most polling stations are open for 12 plus hours in Va from 6am to 7 pm in MD from 7 am to 8 pm so people have the ability to vote. In a caucus you must give up hours of your time and disclose your vote in public.

Caucuses are both awful and in democratic. Mrs Clinton would have even won by larger margins 4 years ago.

[uponit7771]

9. +1

[LisaM]

3. Bullies, peer pressure, multiple ballots.

They also require a time commitment that caregivers and many other groups of people can't make. They disenfranchise.rhe disabled. They are intimidating.

[samnsara]

4. very few people go to caucuses so the % are based on the number of people who went to

..the local high school gym for 3 hours to argue the merits of their candidate and vote amongst their fellow precinct voters. Its a very grass roots andy of mayberry bob newhart vermonty bed n breakfast type of activity. But last election there was a lot of bullying and disruptions and our state voted to go to a primary...and we are all mail in so now we dont have to go anywhere to cast out vote 'cept to the maibox.

But i LOVED the caucuses. I will miss them.

[brooklynite]

5. Activists are willing to show up and stay for the public voting in a traditional caucus

[question everything]

8. Yes, this is the reason. "True believers."

[bottomofthehill]

6. I think there were less than 30000 people at the Washington caucuses 4 years ago

With just 50 percent in, over 700,000 people have voted. There will be well over 1,000,000 people who actually vote and Joe Biden will win the majority of them.

Actually having elections matter. Caucuses are not democratic.

[Skid Rogue]

10. Young folks don't vote like they should, but they are very social.

A caucus is a social event.

[showblue22]

11. Caucuses are undemocratic,

A lot less people are able to vote. Peer pressure and bullying happens in caucuses.

[former9thward]

12. No, the first three states were not caucuses.

New Hampshire was a primary.

[thesquanderer]

13. Caucuses involve a smaller number of only the most dedicated voters,

since it usually requires a much larger time commitment.