GARDINER — For the first time in about two decades, some voters in this small, western Jefferson County neighborhood will have an opportunity to participate in local presidential caucuses.

Registered Democrats living in Jefferson County precincts 101, 102 and 103 can meet at the Gardiner Community Center on Saturday morning to take part in what one Democratic precinct chairman calls a “uniquely American” tradition.

The Gardiner caucus is one of 14 taking place across the North Olympic Peninsula on Saturday to choose delegates for Presidential candidates. The caucuses are open to people who are registered voters and willing to affirm they are Democrats.

“Caucuses actually distinguish the American democracy from every other democracy in the world,” said Glen Gordon, 66, a retired physician living in Gardiner.

“It’s neat: You can almost see the history of it from the beginning of our nation — people meeting in neighbors’ homes and deciding what direction you want the country to go,” Gordon said.

The last caucus meeting in Gardiner is thought to have taken place 20 years ago at the home of the late Don Scott.

Before that, attorney Bill Dent and his wife, Helen, hosted them regularly until Mr. Dent’s death in 1974.

But since about 1984, voters and delegates had to travel to Chimacum or Port Townsend to participate.

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The rest of the story appears in the Friday/Saturday Peninsula Daily News.