(NEWS CENTER) -- Maine has not always held caucuses to express a presidential preference -- we have tried our hand at primaries, too.
Backers of caucuses say they attract the most committed and informed voters. People who support primaries say they are easier for people who can't or won't spend hours at a meeting.
In 1996 and 2000, maine democrats and republicans took advantage of new rules passed by the legislature to hold primaries. They were non-binding-- just as the caucuses are.
Delegates aren't chosen until the state convention.
In both cycles the turnout was disappointing, and some towns and cities did not appreciate the expense of holding primaries.
The political parties pay to hold caucuses.
So by the 2004 election cycle, Maine was back to holding caucuses. Parties handle caucuses differently. Since 1976, democrats have scheduled them all on the same day-- or the same weekend. Republicans prefer to let communities hold them during a much longer window.