So, what exactly is a caucus, anyway?

A caucus is a where members of each of the two major parties gather in precinct meetings to select their presidential preference and elect delegates to each party's county convention.

In Nevada, Republican delegates are pledged to the candidate they were chosen to support at the convention. Under Democratic party rules, candidates can either be pledged or named as uncommitted delegates.

Nevada's caucuses are the first in the West.

In addition to picking a presidential candidate and naming delegates, caucus attendees submit issues and proposed platform planks for discussion and possible votes.

Nevada Democrats caucus Jan. 21. They have pledged to allow same-day registration for attendees. Republicans meet Feb. 4 but require attendees to register as Republicans before Jan. 20 in order to participate.

Any citizen who will be 18 or older on or before Nov. 6 is eligible to participate in the caucuses.

Caucus Schedule

Carson City:

Democrats meet Jan. 21 at Carson Middle School, 1140 W. King St.

Doors open 10 a.m., proceedings begin 11:30 a.m. Count at 2 p.m.

Republicans meet Feb. 4 at 900 Mallory Way. Polls open 7 a.m., close at 3 p.m. for count.

The Carson Democratic caucus is also a food drive for FISH so attendees

are being asked to bring a can of food.

Douglas County

Democrats meet Jan. 21 at Douglas High, Topaz Ranch Estates Community Center and Dresslerville Senior Center. Doors open for registration 11 a.m. Voting 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. when the count begins.

Republicans holding caucuses at voter precinct sites February 4 beginning at 11:30 a.m. Voting starts at noon. Following is a list of precinct numbers followed by the site address:

1, 4, 11, 15, 20, 21, 26, 27, 31, 32, 33, 34, Minden Douglas High, 1670 Hwy 88

2, Fish Springs Fish Springs Vol. Fire, 2149 Fish Springs

3, 4 Gardnerville Gardnerville Vol. Fire, 1255 Douglas

5, 6 Genoa Genoa Town Hall, 2289-A Main St.

7 Gardnerville Aspen Park Club House, 1380 Centerville

8, 9 Gardnerville Gardnerville Ranchos Vol. Fire, 940 Mitch Dr.

10 Wellington Topaz Ranch Estates Fire, 1476 Albite

12 Gardnerville Waldo Walker's home, 808 Bodduh

13 Carson City Nv. Division of Forestry, 3450 Jack's Valley

16, 30 Minden Douglas City Republican HQ, 1615 Hwy 395

17 Gardnerville Ruhenstroth Vol. Fire, 2008 Pinto Cir

18, 19 Gardnerville, St Gall Cath. Church classrooms, 1343 Centerville

22 Minden Johnson Lane Fire, 1450 Stephanie 

23 Carson City Sunridge Fire Station, 3620 N. Sunridge

24 Topaz Lake Topaz Lake Fire Station, 1990 Austin St

25 Minden CVIC Hall, 1602 Esmeralda 15

28 Fish Springs Fish Springs Vol. Fire,  2149 Fish Springs

29 Gardnerville Sheridan Vol. Fire, 980 Sheridan

35-41 Zephyr Cove Whittell High, 240 Warrior

Lyon County

Democrats meet Jan. 21 at Silver Sage High School in Silver Springs. Doors open 11:30 a.m. Counting begins at 1:30 p.m.

Republicans meet Feb. 4 beginning at 11:30 a.m. but no site information was received as of press time.