cramerbabbsoctBismarck  (CSi)  Congressman Kevin Cramer has launched a presidential preference straw poll for North Dakotans, in response to the State Republican Party not sponsoring an official presidential caucus.

Cramer says, “North Dakota Republicans are being left out of the 2016 presidential preference process, so this straw poll will provide “the next best thing.”

State Republican officials decided to not sponsor a presidential candidate caucus this year and instead send their 28 delegates to the National GOP Convention “unbound,” a move Cramer says has some scratching their heads, including himself.

Cramer adds,  “I know national party rules create some challenges for state organizations, but grassroots activists deserve the chance to play in the biggest sweepstakes in modern presidential history.  We have the largest field of candidates vying for the affection of every Republican in my lifetime and I want all GOP activists to at least have the opportunity to express their preference for the candidate of their choice.”

Republican National Committee rules prevent Cramer from holding his own caucus since the State GOP opted out of the process, so the Congressman sought and received permission to conduct an online straw poll that would run over multiple days.

Cramer says  he put a lot of thought into how to ensure the integrity of the poll while making it as inviting as possible. “I realize inviting people to vote online means people outside of North Dakota could intervene, so I am requiring each voter to provide a zip code to demonstrate their North Dakota residency and provide a compliance tool. My ballot will include a disclaimer tying participation in the straw poll to the voters’ intention to vote Republican in the next general election. This is more of an assurance than voting in a North Dakota primary election without voter registration.”

Cramer said he will use social media advertising as well as promote participation on his talk radio town halls, and hopes the candidates will encourage their North Dakota supporters to go online and cast their vote. While the results will not be binding on North Dakota’s delegates to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland this summer, Cramer says they will be instructive.

He adds,  “If history is any indication, it is highly unlikely there will be more than one candidate still standing by the time spring rolls around, and almost certainly we will only have one name placed in nomination at the convention. But the early voting in places like Iowa, New Hampshire and the Southeastern states creates the momentum that launches the eventual nominee. If we can attract enough voters and attention to my straw poll, we can be players in providing an early boost for somebody.”

The Cramer Presidential Straw Poll can be accessed at http://www.northdakotastrawpoll.com/ and will remain open through Feb. 29.