Caucus race

Definition

A competitive process where party members select delegates through local caucuses rather than a simple primary vote. Deliberately Byzantine democratic theater.

Example Usage

The Iowa caucus race decided more presidential campaigns through arcane procedural rules than any policy debate.

Origin

Combination of 'caucus' terminology with electoral 'race'; popularized in media coverage of presidential campaigns

Fun Fact

Iowa Democrats' caucus process has changed substantially multiple times, most recently dropping satellite caucuses in 2020

Source: Electoral process terminology

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