Once a winner emerges in Louisiana’s presidential primary on Saturday, the state’s next step is to select the delegates to support the victorious candidate.
Party leaders will come together at caucuses throughout the state in late April to decide the delegates that will eventually represent Louisiana at the GOP’s national convention.
From 8:30 a.m. until noon April 28, Republican voters who registered prior to Dec. 15 can participate in one of the 30 district caucuses across the state.
The site for East Baton Rouge Parish residents who live south of Florida Boulevard will be the Jefferson Baptist Church on Jefferson Highway, while those who live north of Florida Boulevard will vote at Kristenwood Catering and Reception Hall on Greenwell Springs Road.
The caucus for West Baton Rouge and Iberville parish residents will be at Reliant Technology in Port Allen.
Following the caucuses, 25 delegates and 12 alternates from each of the 30 districts will be elected to vote at the Republican State Convention on June 2 in Shreveport.
“Delegates are elected at the caucuses and will represent the population of Louisiana at the convention in June,” said Austin Stukins, interior design junior and state grassroots coordinator for Louisiana Team Gingrich 2012. “Whatever campaign that [students] want to stand with, they need to get in touch with the campaigns in their state, reach out to the individuals in charge and ask to get involved.”
At the state convention, delegates and alternates will be selected for the Republican National Convention, slated for Aug. 27 to 30 in Tampa, Fla.
Finally, the delegates chosen to participate in the national convention will select the party’s nominees for president and vice president.
Stukins, a delegate candidate, said supporters should get in touch with campaigns to learn what ballot and slated delegates to vote for before the caucus.
Stukins said presidential candidate Newt Gingrich’s supporters are preparing by identifying supporters who want to attend the caucuses while also searching for delegates who are committed to helping Gingrich.
“We’re trying to consolidate a list of all supporters so we can reach out to them,” he said.
While anyone can attend the caucuses for free, Stukins said supporters who wish to become delegates must pay a $200 qualifying fee.
Jason Doré, executive director of the Republican Party of Louisiana, said those interested in qualifying as a delegate can apply online or in person at the LAGOP’s office between April 10 and 12.
“Becoming a delegate is a great opportunity to get involved and meet other Republican activists across the state,” he said.
Stukins said the majority of voters attend primaries, but they may not be aware of the caucus or the process involved. “It’s important that voters not only vote on March 24 in the Louisiana presidential preference primary, but also get in touch with the campaign of their choice to find out how best to be involved in the caucus here in Louisiana,” he said.
While the caucus is more than a month away, the Republican Party of Louisiana is preparing for the caucus by getting the word out and bringing publicity to the caucus.
Doré said the party is looking for volunteers interested in getting involved in the caucus and on the election day.
 
____ Contact Kate Mabry at [email protected]