What Is the Iowa Caucus?
The Iowa Caucus is the first-in-the-nation step for political parties to decide on their nominees for the Presidency. On caucus night, Iowans gather by party preference in local precinct locations throughout Iowa to debate issues, choose their party's platform, and select their preferred Presidential nominee. The caucuses have historically played a significant role in the Presidental nominating process due to the grassroots nature of the event. The candidates, national media, and voters all over the country put a lot ofweight on the decisions of Iowa Caucusgoers. The Iowa caucus system makes candidates campaign in person and discuss issues with voters face to face. Candidates cannot rely entirely on advertisements to get votes. They must go out and meet people.
Who Can Caucus?
To be eligible to caucus in Iowa you must:
• Be a resident of Iowa and of the precinct in which you wish to participate (if you attend college in Iowa you are eligible to caucus).
• Be a U.S. citizen and otherwise eligible voter (18 by November 4, 2008).
• Be a registered voter (you can register at the caucus).
• Be in the registration line or signed in by 7 p.m.
How Does the Caucus Work?
Democrats
The Democratic Party elects county convention delegates by presidential preference group, rather than by the whole caucus. At the time delegates are elected, the caucus splits up into preference groups - supporters of each candidate gather in different parts of the room.
A presidential preference group must have at least 15% (called "viability") of the precinct's total number of caucus attendees in order to elect county convention delegates.
Participants are allowed to regroup if their candidate has too few supporters to choose a delegate or if they decide to support another candidate.
More specific details on caucus procedure are at the Iowa Democratic Party's caucus web site.
Republicans
The Republican Party conducts a straw poll for President by secret ballot in years when the nomination is contested. (No vote was held in 2004, when President Bush was unopposed for renomination.)
The whole caucus then elects delegates and alternates to the county convention. For more information visit the Iowa Republican Party caucus page.
Where Do I Caucus?
Each local precinct has their own caucus meeting and location. The Democratic and Republican parties will be listing precinct caucus locations on their websites leading up to the caucuses. Presidential candidate campaigns and your local County Auditor also would be able to help you find your local caucus precinct.
