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DonViejo

(60,536 posts) Mon Jul 8, 2019, 08:44 AM Jul 2019

Iowa, Nevada to launch caucus voting by phone for 2020

By MICHELLE L. PRICE and THOMAS BEAUMONT
today

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Democrats in the early presidential contest states of Iowa and Nevada will be able to cast their votes over the telephone instead of showing up at their states’ traditional neighborhood caucus meetings next February, according to plans unveiled by the state parties.

The tele-caucus systems, the result of a mandate from the Democratic National Committee, are aimed at opening the local-level political gatherings to more people, especially evening shift-workers and people with disabilities, whom critics of the caucuses have long said are blocked from the process.

The changes are expected to boost voter participation across the board, presenting a new opportunity for the Democratic Party’s 2020 candidates to drive up support in the crucial early voting states.

“This is a no-excuse option” for participation, said Shelby Wiltz, the Nevada Democrats’ caucus director.

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https://apnews.com/9ae9ce3fee6e42bdb29e601cded80810

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Iowa, Nevada to launch caucus voting by phone for 2020 (Original Post) DonViejo Jul 2019 OP

Not a good idea bobbieinok Jul 2019 #1

Can people in St. Petersburg participate? dalton99a Jul 2019 #2

I have a few questions, myself customerserviceguy Jul 2019 #3

bobbieinok

(12,858 posts)

1. Not a good idea

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Mon Jul 8, 2019, 11:14 AM

Jul 2019

I attended IA caucuses 72 to 88.

*--At caucuses then and I think now, candidate group(s ) without enuff voters based on number attending make 'deals' and alliances to merge/get enuff numbers.

*--attendees do much more than vote for candidates. They craft points for the party platform. It's often a raucous process. How can there be a discussion and then vote on consensus if some or all participate by phone.

It's true many leave after voting for candidate and punt issues discussion.

*--how do attendees vote for delegates to county convention by phone? According to party rules of 1970 delegates must be chosen in proportion to the age, gender, race make-up of attendees. How is that determined by phone call-in.

It seems to me this gives an awful amount of power to those answering the phones. Seems like it takes a lot of power away from the local precinct.

One of the great advantages of caucuses was that you you meet with neighbors to discuss issues impotant to you. I got to know lots of people I normally probably wouldn't meet otherwise.

I certainly understand the major drawbacks of a caucus. But if you want to eliminate them, why not just go to a vote like states with super Tuesday. This idea just makes caucus problems even worse.

This new plan gives way too much power to just a few people!!

Seems very anti democratic.

dalton99a

(81,516 posts)

2. Can people in St. Petersburg participate?

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Mon Jul 8, 2019, 11:18 AM

Jul 2019

Both state parties plan to require Democratic voters to register online in advance of their virtual caucus, verifying their identity with a “multi-factor authentication.” Voters will receive a PIN that they’ll have to enter when they call in to participate.

customerserviceguy

(25,183 posts)

3. I have a few questions, myself

Reply to DonViejo (Original post)

Mon Jul 8, 2019, 11:46 AM

Jul 2019

Will this be interacting with a person, or will it be strictly electronic, such as is done with bank-by-phone?

Will this system be subject to mischief, like reich-wingers from everywhere calling in to tie up phone lines?

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