Is it true that only 5 to 6% of Iowans get together to caucus?

zanne

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Tue Dec-18-07 02:02 PM
Original message

Is it true that only 5 to 6% of Iowans get together to caucus?

That's what I heard on the radio this morning. Hardly seems worth it.

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SteppingRazor

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Tue Dec-18-07 02:06 PM
Response to Original message

1. In 2004, the Dems had about 150k caucusers in a state of about 3 million...

so, yeah, that 5 or 6 percent seems about right.

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Robbien

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Tue Dec-18-07 02:14 PM
Response to Original message

2. Voting at the polls take hardly any time at all. A caucus vote

takes a really committed voter because it takes all evening.

Not surprising that many Americans opt out of the process.

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LiberalFighter

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Tue Dec-18-07 02:19 PM
Response to Reply #2

5. I wonder if states with caucuses have state conventions to determine national delegates

or if the national delegates are decided at the caucuses.

Here in Indiana we will have our primary in May to vote for our presidential choice and elect state convention delegates. The state convention delegates will go to Indianapolis in June and vote for any state-wide candidates that are chosen at that convention and vote for national delegates.

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MaineDem

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Tue Dec-18-07 02:21 PM
Response to Reply #5

6. We do here in Maine

Our caucuses elect state convention delegates and National Convention delegates are elected at our state convention in May.

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cyberswede

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Tue Dec-18-07 02:29 PM
Response to Reply #5

7. Iowa does

At each precinct caucus, delegates to the County Caucus are chosen. At each County Convention, delegates to the (congressional) District Convention are chosen, and at each District convention, delegates to the State Convention are chosen. Finally, at the state convention, the national delegates are chosen (voted on, more precisely - contenders have "campaign" flyers and everything). :)

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LiberalFighter

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Tue Dec-18-07 02:16 PM
Response to Original message

3. It is not about representing all of Iowans

Only Democrats are suppose to vote in the Democratic caucuses. Even then, it will be those that can find the time, energy and interest.

Presidential caucuses and primaries are not the same as other primaries.

I found out that Wisconsin will have I think 4 elections next year.

They will have a presidential primary. Early Spring
They will have a school board election. Later in the Spring

They will have their regular primary in September.
The General Election in November.

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Recursion

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Tue Dec-18-07 02:16 PM
Response to Original message

4. Generally, yeah. Caucuses are kind of meant for "machine" states

ie, the existing party apparatus has a lot more power in a caucus than a primary, because the turnout is lower and it can take quite a while.

DC, interestingly, has both a caucus and a primary...

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dbackjon

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Tue Dec-18-07 02:29 PM
Response to Original message

8. Another reason why Iowa should not be first...

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