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1 of 1- Common Sense
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Learn how to caucus Iowa
For anyone who is not sure how the vote(caucuses) takes place in Iowa.
Learn how to caucus
Come prepared to make a difference at the 2016 Iowa caucuses!
For more information on the Iowa caucuses or the “Caucus to Convention” process, please contact the Republican Party of Iowa at [url=tel:5152828105]515-282-8105[/url] or the Iowa Democratic Party at [url=tel:5152447292]515-244-7292[/url].
Why do we caucus?
In presidential years (the next one is in 2016), the Iowa caucuses' most popular feature is the presidential preference poll. This is where hundreds of thousands of Iowans show up to formally begin the presidential nominating process for both major national parties. However, the Iowa caucuses are also held during mid-terms (2014, 2018, 2022, etc.), and while no presidential voting will take place, the business conducted is also still very important. The decisions made during the biennial caucuses can have a big impact on Iowa agriculture.
The precinct caucus is the ultimate grassroots function of Iowa politics and it is where one is elected to a leadership position in one's county party, it is the first step to becoming a delegate to the county, district, state, or national conventions, and it is also where changes to the party’s platform (statement of beliefs and policy) can be introduced.
Who can participate?
To participate in an Iowa Republican or Iowa Democratic caucus, an individual must be registered to vote and be a registered member of the party’s caucus they are attending. The individual must also be 18 years old by the date of the next general election, which in this case is Tuesday, November 8, 2016. That means it is possible for 17 year-olds to participate at their local caucus as long as they will be 18 years old by November 8, 2016. He or she must also reside in the precinct that they are caucusing in. “No Party” registrants, or people who are not registered with either the Democratic or Republican Parties, will have to change their registration to one party or the other in order to caucus.
Iowa Votes - Republican Caucus Tutorial
Iowa Votes - Democratic Caucus Tutorial
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- tennyson
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Re: Learn how to caucus Iowa
I have yet to fathom why IOWA looms important in the overall nomination process. Their demographics no significant way matches the overall US demographics and further the process is really not in tune with allowing or maybe I should say encouraging all to participate in fact its participation is rather dismal. In 2008, the last year both parties had competitive contests, 359,000 people showed up for either the Democratic or Republican caucuses. That was just 17 percent of Iowa’s registered voters, and far fewer than the 517,623 who voted in New Hampshire’s primary that year, even though Iowa’s population is more than twice New Hampshire’s.
Last edited by tennyson (1/29/2016 10:51 pm)
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Re: Learn how to caucus Iowa
tennyson wrote:
I have yet to fathom why IOWA looms important in the overall nomination process. Their demographics no significant way matches the overall US demographics and further the process is really not in tune with allowing or maybe I should say encouraging all to participate in fact its participation is rather dismal. In 2008, the last year both parties had competitive contests, 359,000 people showed up for either the Democratic or Republican caucuses. That was just 17 percent of Iowa’s registered voters, and far fewer than the 517,623 who voted in New Hampshire’s primary that year, even though Iowa’s population is more than twice New Hampshire’s.
I've long questioned Iowa's position in the primary schedule.
The population is tiny.
The turnout for the entire state of Iowa is significantly less than the population of the city of Charleston, for instance.
And the fact that Iowans have delivered victories to President Huckabee and President Santorum shows that their demographics really don't fit the nation at large.
But, they are first, and the press needs something to cover. So, they sell the narrative that this place is vital.
We live in a time in which decent and otherwise sensible people are surrendering too easily to the hectoring of morons or extremists.