With the Nevada caucuses less than two weeks away, local groups are offering classes for voters to familiarize themselves with how the process works.
Both the democrats and republicans in Washoe County are doing what they can to make sure their supporters know when the caucuses happen, and how they work.
On caucus day, voters will head to their nearest precinct site where they will meet other members of the community before casting their vote.
"This is how we decide in the state of Nevada who we want to see on the ballot come November," said Pam DuPre, the Executive Director of the Washoe County Democratic Party.
Adam Khan, the Chairman for the Washoe County Republican Party added, "It allows people to not just cast their ballot and go home. It allows them to go in and really engage in the process, ask their neighbors, see what they think."
The two parties operate their caucuses differently though. Democrats will gather at public places and declare their support for a candidate.
"People just come in, they decide, okay who do I want to caucus for at this mock caucus, they break into what they call their preference groups. If someone's undecided, they get to stand in another area of the room. Then something called viability," said DuPre.
As for republicans, they too will gather three days later, but will be casting a secret ballot that will be added up statewide.
Khan said, "Ours is you go in there, you talk, and try to persuade your neighbors, you try to persuade them. And then you make a secret ballot. So no one actually knows what your choice is. Now if there's only two people in your precinct, of course you know what the other person voted. But we like to keep that to ensure there's no voter intimidation."
At the Washoe County GOP headquarters, participants like Kime King are learning about the process.
"It's good to get the training because it's so chaotic when you get to the caucus, that sometimes you get confused, or maybe you won't. Not everyone does. But it's nice to know what's going on before you get there and get that refresher," said King.
Democrats are simulating the caucus process to get volunteers ready to run their local precinct caucus on the actual day.
John Pettengill was training and said, "This really is grassroots, talk to people, understand points and issues and be able to ask questions. Argue, discuss. And then decide."
For those wanting to participate, you must be registered as a member of a party. Democrats have same day registration, while the republicans require voters to register by February 13.
"Just everybody participate. Whether you're republican, democrat, independent, just come out and play. It's so much fun," said Pettengill.
The democrats will caucus on February 20, while the Republicans are scheduled for February 23.
Republican Caucus Information: http://www.nevadagopcaucus.org/
Democrat Caucus Information: http://nvdems.com/caucus
