CAUCUS TIME APPROACHES IN MISSOURI

Despite national attention garnered by the recent Iowa presidential caucus, some voters are unsure exactly what a party caucus is and how they can participate.

Missouri will hold its caucuses early next month. The state Democratic caucus will be March 7 with Republicans following March 9.

Unlike in a primary system where voters go to the polls and cast ballots for their favorite party candidate, the caucus system is less direct.

However, voters can still get involved and are encouraged to do so, even if they are not active in local partisan politics. Participants must be registered voters and certify that they are a member of the party in whose caucus they wish to participate.

"Any registered voters of Cape County who considers themselves to be Democrats are welcome to participate," said Rick Althaus, chairman of the Cape Girardeau County Democratic Committee.

Steve Wilson, chairman of the Cape Girardeau County Republican Committee, said certification for the local Republican caucuses simply entails signing a pledge saying you belong to the GOP.

Voters who participated in one's party's caucus in the past but who wish to switch are free to do so.

Exact rules vary from county to county and between the parties, but the basic method remains the same.

On the designated days, caucuses will convene in each county to elect delegates to the congressional district and state conventions. More than one caucus may meet in larger counties.

Each individual caucus elects a predetermined number of delegates. That number differs from county to county.

Caucus members choose delegates whom they feel will support their choice for president.

Wedged among a number of other states' primaries, Darrell Dewey, communications director for the Missouri Republican Party, doesn't expect presidential candidates will spend a great deal of time in Missouri before the caucuses.

"I don't think you'll see a whole lot, but there is some grass-roots organizing going on for some candidates," Dewey said. "We haven't seen much action so far and I don't expect it to pick up much."

Since the Democrats have only one candidate, their caucus is little more than a formality, which Althaus dubbed "boring and peaceful."

However, Tony Wyche, communications director for the Missouri Democratic Party, still anticipates strong participation.

"Actually, I think it will be a pretty good-sized turnout," Wyche said. "We only have President Clinton, but a lot of people feel pretty strongly about what he is doing and want to show support."

Wilson believes Republican attendance also will be strong.

"At the last caucus we had about 100. I expect at least that many, but honestly, I don't know how many will show up. I hope it will be a lot," Wilson said.

Delegates chosen by the caucuses will then attend a convention of all the delegates in their respective congressional districts.

Republicans will do this April 13. Three delegates for the national convention will by selected from each of Missouri's nine congressional districts. At the state convention in Springfield May 17-18, nine at-large delegates will be chosen for a total of 36 members in their national delegation.

"If you don't make it at the district convention, you have to struggle at the state level," Wilson said.

The Democrats will hold district meetings April 11 with the state convention following May 4. Missouri Democrats will send 93 delegates and 13 alternates to their national convention. Wyche said the difference between the number of delegates each party send arises from differences in party rules.

"It just depends on each party has historically proportion delegates," Wyche said.

While delegates to the national conventions are pledged to support a certain candidate, in Missouri they are not legally bound to that candidate as are delegates in some other states.

"As a rule these people are pretty strongly committed," Dewey said. "I think it is rare for a delegate to change his mind."

Some prominent Missouri politicians -- including U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson and Sen. Christopher "Kit" Bond -- have suggested that Missouri switch to a primary system. Both Wyche and Dewey said there are ups and downs with each system.

The only time Missouri had a primary was in 1988 when home-state candidate U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt sought the Democratic nomination.

"When you have a primary you hope you can get candidates to come in and meet, greet and spend money," said Dewey. "The only time Missouri had one was the Dick Gephardt memorial primary. That was a one-time thing and I don't think anyone was blown away."