The lines are so long at some of Maine’s Democratic presidential caucuses that the Senate Democratic leader is calling for reinstating primaries.
Sen. Justin Alfond of Portland says it’s time to talk about a more efficient way of conducting Maine’s presidential preference votes. He pointed to lines of more than three hours Sunday, along with similar caucus delays in 2008.
He says he’s going to introduce a bill Monday that would require a return to the primary system for both parties. In primaries, parties cast tallies as they would on Election Day, and the election is conducted by state and municipal officials.
Caucuses are run by the parties and require a greater time commitment because the local gatherings involve discussion and speeches on behalf of candidates.