When do precincts close tonight?

At what time can we expect to start getting returns (CST)? I'm going to dinner with some friends and I want to get back in time.

Precincts do the presidential preference first.

The person in charge explains the 15% rule and propotional demographic representation based on the group actually there.

There's often a handout/flyer explaining the mechanics.

At some point the people at the particular caucus have to agree on the number of registered democratic voters present.

Then they have to agree on what 15% of that number is.

This process can take a lot of time: 4 people count and come up with 4 different numbers.

Then the (co)chairperson of the precinct points to where the supporters of the different candidates are to group.

If one or more candidates do not have 15%, they try to get people to come to their group ... 'you have 10 more than you need; could 3 of your people come to us?'

There's always the problem .... 'we need 10 for 15%, we have 17 - can we get 3 more for 2 votes from this precinct.'

The people attending agree on the amount of time this jockeying will take.

Once the numbers per candidate are figured, (if I remember correctly) that has to be matched up with the number of votes the precinct gets at the county convention.

And then finally - there's a number per candidate from this precinct.

If there are lots of people present and lots of 'dealing' going on, time may be extended.

THE SAME PROCESS IS REPEATED AT THE COUNTY LEVEL AND AGAIN AT THE STATE LEVEL.

At this point, many think it's over and want to leave.

But now there are the discussions on the platform.

In 72 and 76, a lot of older voters got tired and left by 10 - 11 or so. So in college towns, the precinct may have decided to send a 'legalize marajuana' plank to the county.

It's sure not a 'drive to poll, vote, and leave' 10 - 30 minute deal.

But it's democracy down and dirty in the trenches and feeling you had an opportunity to win neighbors to your side.

(Also, kids from grade school thru hi school may be there - 'to see democracy at work'.)

It's not really a 'when do the polls close?' deal. I hope neither the democratic nor the republican party in IA ever try to 'fix' the process to meet CNN, et al, deadlines.

So it's messy; so it takes time; so maybe the weather isn't ideal. BUT IT'S DEMOCRACY IN ACTION.

I will be involved in the process tonight for the first time and I knew it was more involved that to just show up and vote and leave and that I would be there for several hours. Should be exciting!

:kick: