# What are the pros and cons of primaries vs. caucuses? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 11, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-primaries-vs-caucuses/437184 "2008-02-11T19:03:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2008, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-primaries-vs-caucuses/437184/1 "2008-02-11T19:03:42Z")
I’m not sure if this belongs in GQ, but there must be factual reasons why different states choose one system over the other. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2008, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-primaries-vs-caucuses/437184/2 "2008-02-11T19:13:53Z")
In general, smaller states with more dispersed populations tend to favor caucuses. There are exceptions, but you see them mostly in farm states and the Rocky Mountains. Keep in mind that the state legislature has to make the determination as to whether to schedule a presidential primary, and for more dispersed states, this is more of an expense relative to the state budget. Then, too, a primary (unless it’s very early) in a more spread-out state will attract less money and fewer candidate visits, so there is less of an upside. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2008, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-primaries-vs-caucuses/437184/3 "2008-02-11T22:20:52Z")
Thanks, Freddy. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 3:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-primaries-vs-caucuses/437184/4 "2008-02-12T03:36:53Z")
Caucuses bring a community together to discuss the issues and the candidates and, in theory anyway, result in a more informed voting population. Primaries, on the other hand, are more inclusive. You can’t participate in a caucus if you’re out-of-town or busy when they’re held, or if you are plain incapable of attending. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/9fc348/32.png) [@The\_Flying\_Dutchman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Flying_Dutchman)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-primaries-vs-caucuses/437184/5 "2008-02-12T03:54:30Z")
Caucuses are fertile ground for able activists who gain unfair advantage for their personal agenda by applying social pressures to prey on undecided or weak individuals. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2008, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-primaries-vs-caucuses/437184/6 "2008-02-12T05:12:34Z")
Since this is GQ, not GD, I’d point out that, yes, the discussion aspect of a caucus might benefit a candidate whose supporters are more vocal and/or convincing. But this is in contrast to a primary where the same “undecided or weak individuals” would likely be swayed by tv commercials, poorly thought-out endorsements, or push polls. I’m not sure that’s better. ---
**Author:** ![Omega\_Glory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7c8e57/32.png) [@Omega\_Glory](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omega_Glory)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2008, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-are-the-pros-and-cons-of-primaries-vs-caucuses/437184/7 "2008-02-13T05:36:36Z")
Thanks for the different perspectives.