The caucus countdown begins!

As caucus day approaches, the state’s Republican and Democratic parties are coming out with their schedules.

PolitickerME has been in touch with six presidential campaigns this week, and none said their candidates would be making visits – but they also said their candidates had not scheduled past South Carolina.

Watch Politicker ME for updates.

REPUBLICANS:

Republicans will caucus Feb. 1-3. Currently there are 38 caucuses organized, with many more to come.

See the list on the Republican Party’s Web site here. So far, 252 towns have made arrangements.

The Republican Party has organized regional caucuses, partially in effort to encourage candidates to come. The regional caucuses will take place in: Lewiston, Fort Kent, Houlton, Presque Isle, Farmington, Augusta, Rockport, Damariscotta, Dover-Foxcroft, West Bath, Belfast and Sanford.

Smaller one- or two-town caucuses will take place in the following places: Mechanic Falls, Freeport, Gorham, Scarborough, Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, Harrison, Windham, South Portland, Westbrook, Raymond, Portland, Pownal, Gray, Cumberland, Blue Hill, Ellsworth, Bucksport, Orland, Brownfield, Oxford, West Paris, Bangor and Jackman.

The following people in state government are serving as caucus organizers in their hometown: Rep. John Robinson, R-Raymond and Rep. Jim Hamper, R-Oxford.

DEMOCRATS:

The Democrats are starting an absentee ballot process in an effort to give more people a chance to vote. Party Executive Director Arden Manning said absentee ballots are flowing in.

One can get an absentee ballot by calling the Democratic Party or visiting the Maine Democrats Web site here.

There are a few multiple-town caucuses arranged, but most Democrats will caucus in their own town. See the caucus schedule here.

Arrangements have been made in 297 towns. There are 102 towns on the Democrat’s Web site with no information listed.

Multiple town caucuses will be held in the following locations: Ashland, Bangor, Bowdoinham, Buxton, Cambridge, Caribou, Washington, Eddington, Skowhegan, Deer Isle, Detroit, Dover-Foxcroft, Ellsworth, Saco, Franklin, Glenburn, Damariscotta, Greenville, Guilford, Hampden, Hodgdon, Houlton, Island Falls, Kennebunk, Lincoln, Livermore Falls, Mapleton, Mount Desert, Millinocket, Moscow, Rumford, New Sweden, Newport, Patten, Rangeley, Smithfield, Eustis, Gouldsboro, Bethel, Washburn, Whitefield, Wiscasset.

Many state lawmakers and officials are serving as caucus conveners.