The Idaho Democratic caucus is set to take place on June 22, where caucusgoers will elect delegates pledged to the nominee for the state convention. This year’s caucus will run from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time and will have a different structure than previous Democratic caucuses. Instead of the traditional method of moving around the room to show support for a candidate, voters will be given ballots to fill out their choices.
Only registered Democrats and unaffiliated voters can participate in the Democratic caucus, with unaffiliated voters required to sign a pledge stating their participation as Democrats. Additionally, 17-year-olds are allowed to caucus as long as they will turn 18 before the general election on Nov. 5.
The switch to a primary for the 2020 presidential contest saw Joe Biden winning with about 49% of the vote, compared to Bernie Sanders’ roughly 42%. However, Idaho’s history of voting Republican in presidential elections since 1968 poses a challenge for the Democratic winner.
The need for caucuses this year arose after state lawmakers accidentally scrapped the state’s primaries during the 2023 legislative session. A voter initiative expected to be on the general election ballot this fall could open Idaho’s presidential contests and switch the state to a ranked-choice voting system by next year.