To the Editor:

I disagree with Dick Hutchinson’s recent statement after the Republican Potsdam village caucus that the Democratic Party is “a closed shop.” As one of the Democratic candidates for Potsdam Village Trustee this November, this is not what I saw or experienced in the nomination process this year.

Not a member of the Democratic or any other party, but deciding I wanted to run for Village Trustee, I wanted to know how party nominees are chosen and whether one must be a registered member.

The County Board of Elections provides all kinds of information about elections and the process to anyone who asks. By also contacting the Town Democratic Party chair, I learned more.

At the village level, nomination is by party caucus and membership is not required for candidacy. Party members must nominate and second a candidate, and then the person must receive enough votes from the caucus participants to win a place on the ballot.

Anyone may attend a caucus, but only party members may vote, of course.

In addition to the legally required posting of notices, there was also a press release in local media with the time and location of this year’s Democratic caucus.

I went to the caucus; a party member nominated me; another seconded the nomination. There was opportunity to nominate as many people as those present wanted.

This year there were three candidates for two positions -- another indicator that the process is not closed.

The person nominating, the seconder, and the candidate each had a brief time to present arguments why that person should be chosen.

Voting then proceeded by secret ballot – another indicator that the system is open.

As with any other election, the outcome depends on who comes out to vote.

After becoming their candidate, I did change my registration to Democratic, but no one told me I had to.

All of this says to me that the Democratic Party is not “a closed shop.”

I now hope for your support in the November 8th election.

Eleanor Hopke, Potsdam