Nebraska Caucus

Last Saturday was the Democratic caucus for the State of Nebraska. I'm not happy about having to participate in a caucus since I prefer the secret ballot. And sure enough, several of our regular library patrons were gathered at the same caucus site as I had to be at and now they think they're my big buddy since we were standing in the same corner for the same candidate.

Aside from lacking the confidential factor, it wasn't too bad. People didn't get unruly or rude. We chose a person to run the proceedings and someone else to act as recording secretary. Obama supporters stood on one side, Clinton supporters on another, undecided voters were in the middle. Each side took turns stating why they were voting for a particular candidate, and each side clapped after each speaker regardless of position. People were given another chance to change candidates and all but two of the undecided voters eventually chose a candidate. The entire process took only an hour.

In the end, after all precincts were tallied, Obama won the Nebraska caucus.

While it was a polite and quick proceeding, give me back my secret ballot.