“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
(Edmund Burke)
IN THIS CRUCIAL ELECTION YEAR,
WE MUST CARE ENOUGH TO CAUCUS!
The Republican Party Caucus is Tuesday, February 7th, 7 pm
The Democrat Party Caucus is Tuesday, March 6th, 7 pm
WHY YOU SHOULD ATTEND YOUR CAUCUS
The precinct caucus, held every two years, is a neighborhood meeting of the registered voters of
a particular party who live within the boundaries of a particular area called a precinct.
The precinct caucus is the ground-floor of political activity, the place where grassroots pro-life
people can have the greatest impact on government at the county, state, and federal levels.
NOTE: In even very conservative counties, there are often caucus attendees who oppose all we
support. In this most important of all election years, these people will be even more determined
to protect pro-abortion, pro-rationing politicians. We must be prepared to speak for life!
HOW YOU MAKE A REAL PRO-LIFE DIFFERENCE
You participate in a non-binding Presidential Preference or ‘Straw’ Poll.
You help elect like-minded committee-people who will organize and activate precinct members
before the election, coordinating voter registration and conducting get-out-the-vote activities.
You help elect like-minded delegates and alternates to the higher assemblies… people who voice
a strong commitment to support pro-life candidates and promote pro-life resolutions.
Finally, you propose pro-life resolutions which, if passed, will be considered at the higher
assemblies and, if approved, eventually reach your party’s national platform committee.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE CAUCUS
To find out about or verify your caucus location, visit the appropriate website. (For Republicans,
go to http://www.caucus.cologop.org/. For Democrats, go to www.coloradodems.org.)
If your spouse, children, or neighbors are registered voters of your party and are definitely prolife, invite them to go with you. (Don’t assume your neighbors are pro-life just because they’re
pleasant people or church-goers. If you’re not sure they agree with you on abortion and healthcare rationing, don’t ask them to attend. Otherwise you may negate your voice and vote.)
As you talk to other pro-life people about attending the caucus, resolve among yourselves to run
for and try to win the committee-people positions and the delegate and alternate spots.
Make 8-10 copies of the Colorado Citizens for Life-recommended resolutions and take them
with you. Distribute the copies as you propose the resolutions.
WHAT TO DO AT THE CAUCUS
Arrive a little early and sign in. Check to see how many of the pro-life people you know are
already there, to determine if it looks like you’ll have a majority.
When the caucus chair opens the floor for nominations for committee-people or for delegates and
alternates, promptly nominate yourself or one of the other pro-life people. (To avoid splitting the
votes, nominate only the number of pro-life people needed to fill the available spots.)
When the nominations cease, ask to hear why each candidate is running, what issues he thinks
are important, etc. (If the candidate doesn’t address the life issues on his own or makes only a
general statement, ask about specifics. Remember: even anti-life people say they’re pro-life.)
When you vote, vote only for clearly pro-life people…even if you’re allowed to vote for more.
After these votes, tell the chair you’d like to propose resolutions. Distribute your copies, read
each resolution separately, and after each one say “I move the adoption of the resolution.”
Stay at the meeting until there’s an official motion to adjourn. (If you leave beforehand, proabortion people could legally conduct additional business. This has happened in the past.)
HOW TO USE PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
To offer a motion, say “I move that…” (Needs a second, debatable, needs majority vote.)
To amend, say “I move that the motion be amended.” (Needs a second, debatable, needs
majority vote.)
To end debate, say “I call the question.” (Needs second, not debatable, needs two-thirds vote.)
To request a count to verify a voice vote, say “I call for a division of the house.” (Needs no
second, not debatable, requires no vote unless someone objects.)
To vote on a ruling by the chair, say “I appeal the chair’s decision.” (Needs a second,
debatable, needs a majority vote.)
To object to a procedure, say “Point of order. (Needs no second, debatable, needs no vote.)
To nominate someone, say “I nominate….” (Needs a second, not debatable, vote varies.)