County Republicans to caucus Saturday

Republican voters will have their chance to help write the 2016 party platform and discuss the presidential race at caucuses taking place this Saturday.

In Clark County, Republicans will caucus in 16 neighborhood locations as determined by voter precincts. In order to participate, people must be registered voters and show photo ID. Because Washington does not require voters to register by party, participants don’t have to be members of the GOP, but will be asked to sign an agreement that they agree with the party’s principles and won’t participate in other parties’ caucuses this year.

Kenny Smith, county GOP chairman, said Saturday’s event will be a good chance for voters who believe in Republican principles to meet with their neighbors who hold the same beliefs and to help set and guide the party’s policies.

Registration for all of the caucuses begins at 9 a.m., with the caucuses beginning at 10 a.m. and adjourning by about 1 p.m. There are two sections to the caucus. In the first, voters will discuss the party platform, which is a statement of the local party’s goals and ideals, and consider adopting resolutions.

In the second portion, precincts will elect delegates to the county GOP convention. In turn, the county convention elects delegates to the state convention, and the state convention elects delegates to the GOP national convention, set for July 18-21 in Cleveland. It is at that national convention where the party formally chooses its nominees for president and vice president.

Although presidential politics will be discussed at Saturday’s county caucuses, the state party previously decided to commit its delegates based entirely on the outcome of the statewide May 24 presidential primary election. According to the state party’s website, the decision allows voters to determine how all of Washington’s delegates are allotted.

Not a Republican? Democrats will caucus March 26.

Caucus Locations

Here is a list of Saturday’s GOP caucus locations, along with which precincts are meeting there. You can find your precinct on your voter registration card, or look it up on the state GOP’s website, www.gopeakteam.com/caucus.

• McLoughlin Middle School, 5802 MacArthur Blvd., Vancouver: Precincts 100, 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, 112, 113, 120, 130, 147, 150, 160, 170, 190, 200, 225, 395.

• Columbia River High School, 800 N.W. 99th St., Vancouver: Precincts 153, 337, 338, 340, 350, 390, 400, 410, 415, 420, 430, 432, 453, 460, 470.

• Fort Vancouver High School, 5700 E. 18th St., Vancouver: Precincts 175, 180, 220, 240, 245, 250, 255, 257, 290, 639, 650, 651, 660, 663, 670, 673, 675.

• Vancouver Masonic Center, 2500 N.E. 78th St., Vancouver: Precincts 294, 296, 298, 325, 327, 330, 335, 360 370, 423, 424, 425, 426, 435, 565, 566, 642.

• Prairie High School, 11311 N.E. 119th St., Brush Prairie: Precincts 434, 436, 441, 483, 487, 543, 550, 553, 555, 560, 570, 572, 573, 574, 575, 576, 577, 578, 579, 615, 617.

• Alki Middle School, 1800 N.W. Bliss Road, Vancouver: Precincts 440, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 455, 456, 480, 490.

• Ridgefield High School, 2630 S. Hillhurst Road, Ridgefield: Precincts 485, 491, 500, 502, 503, 505, 510, 511, 515, 520, 521, 522, 523, 524, 525, 527, 528.

• Amboy Middle School, 22115 N.E. Chelatchie Road, Amboy: Precincts 530, 535, 536, 537, 538, 595, 600, 603, 605, 606.

• Chief Umtuch Middle School, 700 N.W. Ninth St., Battle Ground: Precincts 540, 545, 580, 581, 582, 583, 584, 585, 586, 587, 588, 591, 594, 597, 598.

• Covington Middle School, 11200 N.E. Rosewood Drive, Vancouver: Precincts 563, 571, 624, 626, 627, 628, 629, 630, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636, 638, 640, 643, 652, 653, 692, 693.

• Tukes Valley Middle School, 20601 N.E. 167th Ave., Battle Ground: Precincts 590, 592, 593, 610, 613, 618, 620, 625.

• Illahee Elementary School, 19401 S.E. Seventh St., Camas: Precincts 631, 644, 645, 647, 648, 690, 696, 700, 957, 958, 959, 961, 964, 966.

• Crestline Elementary School, 13003 S.E. Seventh St., Vancouver: Precincts 641, 655, 659, 664, 667, 668, 669, 672, 674, 677, 678, 679, 680, 681, 682, 694, 697.

• Endeavour Elementary School, 2701 N.E. Four Seasons Lane, Vancouver: Precincts 646, 649, 654, 656, 658, 662, 683, 685, 686, 687, 688, 689, 691, 695, 698, 699, 710, 720.

• Washougal High School, 1201 39th St., Washougal: Precincts 900, 910, 912, 913, 914, 930, 935, 940, 947.

• Camas High School, 26900 S.E. Fifth St., Camas: Precincts 903, 905, 917, 920, 925, 950, 951, 953, 960, 962, 963, 965, 967, 968, 969, 985.