FREE ACCESS: Butler County Republican voters contend with unpopular caucus

Republican voters cannot expect a simple preferential primary on March 2.

The Missouri State Legislature axed primary funding in 2022. The financing for the 2024 candidate selection process must be furnished by each party’s own funds.

For this year’s Republican primary, voters will have to participate in a local, in-person caucus.

Joe Leahy, chairman of the Butler County Republican Committee, listed the location as the Tinnin Center at Three Rivers Community College.

Prospective Republican voters will need to be registered to vote, have a voter ID, and sign a Republican loyalty pledge. Optional pre-registration is available online at missouri.gop under the 2024 caucus tab.

While the caucus takes place at 10 a.m., Leahy emphasized doors open at 8 a.m. In contrast to a preferential primary where voters may come throughout the day and choose from a list, participants in the caucus must show up at this specific time.

After listening to speeches and presentations, voters at the caucus will segregate into groups across the gathering space. Any candidates with less than 15% of the vote are removed from the pool.

Those standing with eliminated candidates may move to another group before a recount.

According to Leahy, there is broad discontent over shifting to the caucus system. The last time Missouri conducted a caucus for the presidential election was in 2012.

He has spoken to several state senators and legislators and expressed his desire to revert to a preferential primary.

“I would prefer we actually have a primary election,” Leahy clarified.

He speculated the public agreed with his sentiment. Leahy felt the caucus was not the best solution for Missouri Republicans. In contrast, local Democratic voters will have mail-in voting and ballot casting on March 23 (see accompanying story).

As reported in the Missouri Independent, some have expressed concern over accessibility in the caucus system. Voters with significant physical impairments may find it difficult to arrange transportation to the location.

Leahy acknowledged the caucus may cause some voters to miss the election but affirmed the Tinnin Center’s accommodations as an American with Disabilities Act-compliant site.

“It’s one of the most accessible places,” he clarified.

While local Republicans must make do with a caucus this year, Leahy hopes the state legislature will fund a preferential primary in the future.

Information from the Missouri Independent contributed to this article.