Caucuses are officially no more in Nebraska after the state Democratic Party voted to go back to the primary system.
The state’s Democrats had been choosing their presidential nominee by caucus since 2008 in a system similar to Iowa’s. With caucuses, voters gather in place and discuss the candidates, as opposed to a primary, in which voting is done privately like any other election.
But Nebraska Democratic Party’s State Central Committee voted at its meeting in Ord on Saturday to discontinue the system and go back to regular primary voting. The change was overwhelmingly approved on a voice vote following about 90 minutes of debate.
“The Nebraska Democratic Party continues to reform and build across our state,” Democratic Party Chairwoman Jane Kleeb said in a press release. “Our goal is to ensure all Democrats and Independents can participate in our Presidential primary while also voting for critical down-ballot candidates. We can end the current one-party control of our state by increasing participation in democracy and welcoming all shades of blue in order to grow the good life for all Nebraskans.”
