RIGBY, Idaho — Campaigning for the next United States President has been underway for several months and efforts frompresidential candidates will continue to increase heading into 2024. Three Democratic candidates, eight Republican candidates and three Independent candidates have thrown their hat in the ring for president.
Idahoans gearing up to vote for the 2024 Republican presidential nominee will go through a different process than in years past. Instead of holding a presidential primary election theIdaho Republican State Central Committee has voted to do a caucus. Republican committee leadership for each county will decide the time and place that its caucus will be held. However, the date to hold the Republican presidential caucuses throughout the state is March 2, 2024. This will be a closed, firehouse caucus which means there will be one round of voting, and those who participate have to be registered with the Republican party.
Following the caucus, 32 delegates will represent Idaho during the 2024 Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin held July 15 to 18, 2024. At the RNC the Republican presidential nominee will be selected.
All 32 delegates could represent one or more Republican presidential candidates based on the outcome of the caucus votes. If a presidential candidate receives over 50%, or a majority of the votes, all 32 delegates will represent the winning presidential candidate. However, if no candidate reaches over 50% candidates receiving 15% of votes or higher will be assigned delegates proportionally.
Idahoans will vote between the Republican presidential candidates who filed with the Idaho GOP which include, Donald J. Trump, Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Vivek Ramaswamy, Chris Christie, and and Ryan L. Binkley.
Those wishing to participate in the Idaho GOP Presidential Caucus MUST register and affiliate with the Idaho Republican Party by December 31, 2023. Party registration will not be permitted after the deadline, and absentee or early voting will not be available. Registration and party affiliation are not available on the day of the caucus.
Kaye Field, Chairwoman of the Jefferson County Republican Party Central Committee, goes through frequently asked questions about a caucus.
Why are we doing a presidential caucus?
“The leadership of the Republican Party in Idaho has decided to conduct a caucus on March 2nd,” Field says.
According to the Idaho Republican Party Central Committee’swebsite, the Party recognized the importance of voter participation and accessibility and initially passed a resolution urging the legislature to reinstate the March presidential primary. Since the March Presidential Primary was not restored, the Idaho Republican caucus will serve as our Presidential selection process.
Historically we would have done a presidential primary election but instead, we’re doing a caucus, what’s the difference between the two?
“A presidential caucus is one that’s run by the Party, in this case the Republican Party — It’s put together by the party, it’s run by the party, and it’s paid for by the party. A Primary Election is one that’s overseen by the Secretary of State and run by the County Election Office, and it’s paid for by the state, so they’re kind of two separate entities,” Field says.
In aprimary election, typically the candidate who receives the highest share of votes is declared the winner.
USA.gov further explains the difference between these two types of voting processes.
When will this Republican caucus be taking place?
“It takes place March 2, 2024,” Field says.
What does that mean for those who are voting in the Republican Caucus?
“It means that if you are registered and affiliated as a Republican, you can show up to vote for your choice of the presidential nominee,” Field says.
What is the deadline to register and affiliate yourself with the Republican Party?
“The deadline is on Dec. 31 (2023), they have to be registered and affiliated with the Republican Party, and they can do that through their clerk’s office. But, after the Dec. 31 deadline they won’t be able to participate in the caucus on March 2,” Field says. “That’s when the caucus will be held in all the different counties.”
Where will the caucus be held?
It’s usually based on population and venue size, in our county for instance we’re going to have three caucus locations— One at the high school, one at the middle school, and one out to the adult learning center,” Field says. “Each county will choose their own caucus site.”
What happens at a caucus?
“It can be a big event depending on how many candidates you have, but it’s a place where everybody comes together at the same time, and they cast their vote for their nominee,” Field says. “It’s kind of like a rally, you’ll have some opening ceremonies, you’ll have some campaign speeches done by those representing the candidates, and then they’ll vote.”
Can you affiliate with the Republican Party, or register on the day of the caucus?
“No, you have to do that by December 31, 2023,” Field says.
After visiting the county clerk, who else can be contacted for more information?
“They can contact the state Republican Party atIdahoRepublicanCaucus.com,” Field says.
Or, call 208-343-6405 to speak with someone at the Idaho GOP.
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Idaho is one of ahandful of states doing a Republican Caucus—states likeNevada andUtah are holding one this year as well.
The Idaho Democratic Caucus will be held May 25, 2024.
There will still be a May 2024 primary election held in the state of Idaho, but it will not be for a presidential nominee.
The presidential election will be held on Nov. 5, 2024 for the60th presidential election held in the U.S.