EDITORIAL: Get ready to caucus

Now that voters in Iowa and New Hampshire are finished casting ballots, it's almost time for Nevada to take center stage with its first-in-the-West caucus.

Are you ready?

If you're a Democrat, things are relatively easy: You can show up at your caucus site at 11 a.m. on Feb. 20 and participate, even if you're not registered to vote or need to change your registration to join the Democratic Party. You can find your caucus site at http://nvdems.com/caucus/.

If you're a Republican, things are a bit more complicated. The party has set Feb. 13 — Saturday — as the deadline to register with the GOP in order to participate in the caucuses. There won't be same-day registration when the caucus gets underway at 5 p.m. Feb. 23.

In order to register and make the voter rolls on time, you can go in person to the county's election center at 965 Trade Drive, Suite A, in North Las Vegas, or the election department office at the Clark County Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway. Both offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. today.

Or if you have a valid Nevada drivers license, you can register to vote online on the secretary of state's website (https://nvsos.gov/).

If you need to find your caucus location, or any other information about the Republican caucus, check the party's website: www.nevadagopcaucus.org.

Caucusing isn't like a primary election, where you show up, cast your ballot and leave. In a caucus, you declare a preference for a particular candidate and talk with your neighbors, trying to persuade them to support your candidate while they try to win your allegiance for theirs. Candidates without enough supporters will be eliminated.

Nevada's spot in the calendar of choosing the next president is a privilege Silver State voters should embrace. So no matter your party, get informed about the candidates and turn out Feb. 20 or Feb. 23 to make sure your voice is heard.