Although the first ever Republican Presidential Caucus coming up in early March will be much different than a normal election, it will also have at least a few similarities. One of which is that registered Republicans, even if they can’t take part at the caucus location, can still cast an absentee ballot for the Presidential candidate of their choice.

The statewide caucus will be held on Saturday, March 5 across Kentucky, including in 111 counties and nine other counties will have various locations where voters can cast ballots in larger metropolitan areas.

Some 11 Republican hopefuls filed with the state party prior to the January 7 deadline in order to be on Kentucky’s caucus ballot.

GOP voters will be able to cast a vote between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., with the tentative local polling location being the Clinton County High School cafeteria. At this point, no official Republican Party meeting has been held to explain the new caucus process to potential voters.

Voters who will be out of the county the day of the caucus, who are active military members and stationed outside the county, students who are residents here but attend school elsewhere, or the elderly (at least 70 years of age the day of the caucus) or medically unable to come to the caucus location can vote by absentee ballot.

A voter who lives in the county and does not have an established caucus location may also vote by absentee.

The deadline for submitting absentee applications for the caucus will be Friday, February 19. The applications are available to download at http://rpk.org/caucus.

Completed absentee forms must be received at the state party headquarters by Friday, March 4 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

Former State Representative and current member of the Kentucky Republican party’s executive committee, Sara Beth Gregory of Monticello, a supporter of the new caucus system, explained some of the aspects of how the caucus will work in a recent article in The Wayne County Outlook by news editor Melody Phelps.

Gregory said, “Holding the caucus this year is exciting because of the number of candidates participating and the increased significance it gives Kentucky voters. For the first time in my lifetime, we’ll have a chance to vote on our presidential nominee before the race is already decided.”

Republican party officials are trying to get the word out about the new caucus system. Caucuses will be set up at different locations, such as schools, community and senior citizens centers, among others, in each location and candidates will have tables throughout the room. Voters can gather information and ask questions regarding candidates.

Gregory noted that representatives from all the campaigns will have the opportunity to be at the caucus site and speak to voters as they arrive. Representatives will be required to register in advance, but it isn’t known how many (from the 11 candidates) will take part.

Voters will provide identification to caucus officials, who will look them up on a voter roster. They will then sign in and be handed a ballot. After marking the selection (by secret ballot), the ballot will be placed in a box.

At this point, party officials are uncertain about voter turnout predictions, but Gregory feels it will be similar to a turnout in a regular presidential primary.

At the end of the caucus, ballots will be hand-counted and the total will be provided for each county. Gregory noted that larger counties will use machines that will help with the final count.

Gregory noted the best way for voters to learn more accurate information about the caucus is to visit www.rpk.org/caucus.