Monday is the deadline to affiliate for Coloradans who want to participate in the Republican or Democrat precinct caucuses.  Voters must be affiliated to participate.

Caucuses, which are basically neighborhood meetings, are the first step in nominating candidates for the 2018 election. Both parties will caucus March 6. At the caucuses, delegates that will attend the county, legislative, congressional districts and state assemblies will be chosen.

“This is really a crucial step in our democratic process,” Colorado Secretary of State Wayne Williams said.

“At some assemblies, candidates don’t get enough support from delegates to get on the ballot and their quest for office is over. In counties with lopsided voter registration, such as heavily Democratic Denver County or heavily Republican El Paso County, a group of delegates choose a single primary candidate who likely will be the winner in the general election.”

The caucus route is one way for candidates to get on the Republican and Democratic ballots for the June 26 primary. In past years, more than 90 percent of candidates on the primary ballot were chosen through the caucus route. A small minority choose instead to petition their way onto the ballot by collecting a certain number of valid voter signatures from members of their own party.

To register to vote or change registration information online, go to govotecolorado.com or text “CO” to “2Vote” (28683). Coloradans also can register or change registration information by appearing in person at their county clerk’s offices.

Although unaffiliated voters may now participate in the primary election without declaring to be a Republican or Democrat, they cannot participate in caucuses unless they register with the party 60 days in advance. 

Information on where to caucus will be available on Republican and Democratic party websites.