Amazingly, many Iowans have never attended a presidential caucus. Some are apathetic about politics, others are too busy, but some are intimidated. They somehow think that they don’t know how to caucus or that it will be too hard.
Iowa’s first in the nation caucus is different than a primary vote and it does take longer than just punching a card or flipping a lever and leaving, but it’s not hard or anything to be afraid of. Caucusing is easy, fun and can be very enlightening.
Everyone who can, should go out of their way to give it a try. Iowa has a massive amount of influence on the national elections- it really is disproportionate to our population and our economic power. Voters, media, and strategists all over the country will be watching us closely next week. Experts think that independent voters in New Hampshire will especially be influenced by the results of Iowa’s January 3 caucus.
This week, the PRESS is publishing times and locations where you can go to caucus.
In some ways, a caucus is a comfortable, informal gathering where you get together and talk about who you think would be the best leader and why.
One thing that makes it even easier, is that Republicans are only with Republicans and Democrats are only with Democrats, so you don’t have to worry about those really awkward disagreements that you’re always afraid are going to turn into full fledged arguments and ruin the night.
It’s always easier to discuss politics, even to argue policy issues and philosophies when the people you’re debating with pretty much agree with you on most of the same basic principles. So caucusing helps you know you’re not crazy because there are actually people who think the same way you do- at least on some issues.
Once everybody gets settled in whatever room you’re meeting in, your precinct chair begins the night by giving a brief introduction to caucusing, and then everyone divides up into groups depending one which candidate they support.
Once in their area, each group counts off for the precinct chair to determine how many people were in the room.
The precinct chair then divides the number of caucus members for each candidate by the appropriate number to figure out viability.
The precinct can send a limited number of delegates to the party’s county convention. If the caucus isn’t unanimous, they will send delegates representing each of the viable candidates.
Lets say a precinct gets five delegates. The candidate with the most people caucusing for them might get 3, the runner up could get two.
The groups representing viable candidates try to convince loners and people in smaller groups, to throw their support toward one of the more viable candidates. This is a chance for people in the caucus to move to another candidate, and for nonviable candidates to choose others. This could last half an hour.
To wrap up, the precinct chair takes a final tally and may answer questions from people about caucusing, the county, state and national conventions.
One of the most wonderful aspects of caucusing is that it can be a gateway to participation in your party. Caucus attendants are invited to serve as delegates or alternates to the county convention. You can also get to know some of the people who are active in the party in your area, you may also find out ways in which you can get more involved if you’d like to.
You get to know the other people who share your party affiliation. You may be surprised by which of your neighbors share many of you concerns and convictions.
Participatory democracy begins with you. Few countries in the world offer the opportunities for direct involvement in the selection of their leaders. Iowa does it earlier and better than any other state in the union.
It’s a phenomenal privilege- not just a right or a responsibility. It’s easy and can even be fun. You have to be nuts not to try it. It’s worth getting a babysitter for, or taking off of work for, or missing that basketball game for. See you there.
Ted Mallory lives in Charter Oak and teaches at Boyer Valley Schools in Dunlap. 'Ted's Column' has appeared weekly in the Charter Oak-Ute NEWSpaper since 2002. You can see all of Ted's cartoons, some even in color at http://tedstoons.blogspot.com
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