Primary system is preferable to caucus

Robert Burgess, Henderson

Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008 | 2 a.m.

As a Nevada Democratic caucus volunteer in Henderson, my heart was in the caucus process. I was very proud to serve in a way that could get the vote in. However, what started out as an energetic and eager event slowly progressed to disarray and pandemonium.

I arrived early to help with the organizing process, but I soon could tell we were in deep trouble. As supporters of the presidential candidates arrived, many of their names could not be located, and the name sheets were not alphabetized.

Bathrooms were lacking, materials were in short supply, some caucusgoers turned away in disgust and our work was an absolute nightmare. Miscellaneous items such as marking pens and pencils were not available.

Since the caucus I have heard that many other precincts had similar problems. In spite of serious caucus difficulty, the number of caucusgoers was more than 117,000.

If we are to offer a simple, efficient and effortless way of letting our electorate take part in the voting process, it is imperative that the primary voting process be reinstituted. Otherwise Nevada will lose many legitimate voters. Thousands could not participate because they were ill (no absentee ballots) or working in jobs they couldn’t leave during voting times.

Many caucus supporters will not attend another caucus. Let’s get smart and do away with the complicated and ill-planned caucus way.