Cauc-eye?

I went to my very first caucus ever this last Saturday!
Dad asked if we caucus here in Washington or do a primary. I said, "Well, I just got an absantee voter's ballot in the mail but I keep hearing on the radio that we are having caucuses soon..."

Looking it up the answer was: we do both. After a week of my friends and I trying to figure what counts, it came down to this:
For the Democrats, only the caucuses count, because the WSDP had no participation on the decision to hold a primary. For the Republicans, the primary and the caucuses are split 50/50. At least, that is what we came to understand. For awhile (and I still might) we were thinking of just doing it all to be sure we got our vote in.

It was a fun, yet crowded, caucus. I didn't realize once we got to the location that we were divided up in to precincts. Even though the place was just a few yards from my house, I still had to look up on the map which one was mine. It was interesting meeting people that live close by. Some made the comment that they were expecting to see more familar faces but barely recognized anyone. I saw one or two faces that I couldn't place (barista? sales clerk?). Hopefully I will see my new friends again around the hood.
First round:

• 8 Obama Delegates
• 2 Clinton Delegates
• 1 Undecided Delegate

Second Round:

• 9 Obama Delegates
• 2 Clinton Delegates

Then a few hours later I get an e-mail from a friend who lives across town. "Do I see you in this photo from the caucuses?http://www.flickr.com/photos/punkjr/2253504948/"

Yes, he does! The photographer pretty much got the whole room except for the windows behind him in frame. And that was before it got crowded.

The next morning after the curch service, I was in line to greet our pastor. An elderly woman was in front of me and the first words out of her mouth as she shook the pastor's hand was, "Did you caucus?"

A man behind me laughed, "That is sooo Central! I'm surprised she didn't specify 'for Obama?'"

BTW, the pastor's answer was no, she wasn't feeling well and ended up not going.
And here's a weird reminder from my state's government webpage
Only for the Republicans, though, because the Dems don't count.

*Central is the name of my liberal, very politically active, church.