Elections should gauge the pulse of an electorate. In the case of this year’s presidential races, the gauges for both parties are not pointing in any direction, except the ever-present quest for “change.”

In Maine, the change should be away from the caucuses to be held in the next two weeks to primary elections to determine delegates for presidential candidates at national conventions.

Maine Democratic Party Chairman Arden Manning likened the caucuses to annual town meetings. That may be the case, but town meetings held in areas served by the Lakes Region Weekly rarely draw more than 200 people who then vote on finances and ordinances for a town that may be as much as 10 times that size.

Inviting voters to come visit, discuss party rules and ultimately stand in a corner to express a preference, as do the Democrats, is a pleasant way to build community and express opinions, but seems also to take too much time for many to invest, including candidates who might visit the state.

This is especially true in Republican circles, even though Republican Rep. Ron Paul of Texas was the only candidate from either party to visit Maine this week. In York County, the town meeting element is already lost because most Republicans will meet at Sanford High School.

Even when the Republicans convene in individual towns, delegates remain uncommitted until the state Republican convention in April. A secret ballot for candidates allows a preference to be expressed, but as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney tussle back and forth, what is the attraction for any of them to visit Maine if the delegates at stake are not apportioned for another three months and then not awarded based on who gets the highest percentage of votes?

Maine Democrats will get a greater voice in delegate selection, but it is still hard to believe caucuses held Sunday, Feb. 10, where stand-ins discuss positions for the candidate will electrify voters more than casting a ballot in a primary that could draw candidates to speak in person.

A national primary schedule front-loaded as heavily as this year’s ensures candidates will be seeking delegates in larger states no matter the format in Maine. With John Edwards’ withdrawal from the race, the Democratic race between Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton could be over by the Feb. 5 “Super Tuesday” primaries.

Yet, if not, would a race for 34 delegates settled at polling places seem more attractive to candidates and voters instead of three or more hours meeting at a local town hall? Given that Maine routinely places within the top three states for voter turnout in presidential elections in November, voter interest is there.

“It’s kind of like going to a football game where you don’t know the rules,” said Maxine Adams, chairwoman of the York County Democratic Committee about the party caucus. That hardly seems a way to draw candidates and voters, especially those who are new to the process or limited in the time they might have to speak out about the candidates they favor.

David Harry, editor