As we write this article, the media are full of stories suggesting that Republicans are losing the battle for the hearts and minds of the people, and that it is a foregone conclusion that Gov. Romney will be our presidential candidate, and that President Obama will be re-elected.  Sometimes we wonder if our own established leaders have also bought this package of propaganda.  We are asking our fellow Republicans and Independents to be at peace with each and to say:  “Let’s all just take a breath and realize that we are striving for a much greater victory than campaign money and election results.”  Throughout 2011, Natrona County Republican Chairman Miles Dahlby has been writing to inform us of our basic constitutional principles, Republican values, and defining what our core beliefs as Republicans are.  Now, it is time to translate those good principles and values into the work of a pivotal election year.  We know what is at stake.

As Republicans, we know our nation will be better off when we restore smaller, constitutionally limited, fiscally responsible government to the people, along with a vigorous free enterprise system and sound ethics.  We know that we have much work to do to restore confidence in government at all levels.  As Chairman Dahlby has called us to action, we now begin our work in this critical election year at the neighborhood (precinct) and local (county) levels.  We organize, we canvass, we choose committee and precinct leaders, we define the planks of our party’s platform, we talk with one another, we get informed about the candidates, we listen and contribute, we persuade and help to protect the integrity at the polls, and we vote.  Be encouraged, and do not think that you as an individual cannot have an impact or that your work does not matter.  The essential belief that we hold and cherish is that the greatest progress will be made when the individuals in society are allowed to compete, not when they are constrained to be mere wards of a nanny state.  We begin then, appropriately, at the precinct level, where each individual citizen has their voice.  The precinct is the smallest political subdivision and the first level of representation in our representative republic.

There’s long been a structure in place to help guide political activity from the near neighborhood to statewide to national. Wyoming has had p precincts for many years. They are closely connected to the State House of Representatives and State Senate election districts. There are 46 precincts in Natrona County.  The number of precinct committee members authorized per precinct relates to the number of votes cast for U.S. Representative in the last election, with no less than one pair, a committeeman and woman.  At present, there are a total of 144 Republican precinct committee positions authorized with 22 vacancies.  Three precincts have no representation at all: 7-2 Edgerton, 11-3 Fish Hatchery @ Poison Spider School, and 13-1 Bressler Ranch.

Precinct sizes and boundaries are adjusted after each decennial census.  After the Wyoming Legislature adjusts the district boundaries during the upcoming Session, County Clerks throughout the state will be notified and will be expected to change precinct boundaries to more or less conform to the new districts. It is important that precincts be apportioned by population as precisely as they can be to preserve the principle of “one man – one vote.”

Now, having said all that, here’s why precincts are important to you. They represent the true "grassroots" of our political structure. Precinct committeemen and women help formulate the County party platform; select possible replacement candidates for elected office if a vacancy occurs between elections; and provide guidance and policy development for county party officials. The goal of a viable precinct organization is to involve as many voters as possible in the process so their party can win the next election.

Precinct committeemen and women stand for election every 2 years. Their names appear on the primary election ballot so they aren’t lost in the mix of office-seekers in the General Election. People declare their candidacies at the County Clerk’s office in May; there’s no charge to have your name put on the ballot. The Clerk’s election staff has a map showing all the precincts in Natrona County.  In between elections, interim vacancies are filled by the County Chairman with the approval of the Executive Committee.  So if you happen to live in a precinct with a vacancy, now’s your chance to get into the center of the action.

Even if you don’t want to run for the position of precinct committeeman or woman, become acquainted with them and offer your advice on issues and, especially, volunteer to help our Republican candidates in the general election.  Follow the Natrona County Republican Party on Facebook and keep up with them at www.natronagop.com .

Don’t miss the one time each election cycle when every registered voter can vote on their party’s platforms and resolutions, the Precinct Caucus.  This year we Republicans are holding our Precinct Caucuses on February 23rd, 6:30 – 9:00 pm, Ag Resource & Learning Center, 2011 Fairgrounds Road, Casper.  At that event we will also conduct the Natrona County portion of the WY Republican Presidential Straw Poll.

You know what’s at stake, you know how the system works, and you know what to do.  You’ve been encouraged.  Let’s get to work!

As free people we have the right, and hence the obligation (“Render to Caesar”) to alter our government when it’s hostile or unresponsive to our peace, safety and happiness.   That means electing the right people to office who will uphold our rights.  We can effectively do that by organizing around a political party, linking up with other like-minded individuals in political action committees, and working to convince others to vote right.

Pat Kofakis, Casper attorney and vice president of the Natrona County Republican Women
Tim Monroe, Republican precinct committeeman and former Casper Mayor
Casper
January 30, 2012