Tuesday January 9th 2018
Iowa caucuses explained
Iowa voters today at last cast their verdicts on the Democratic and Republican presidential fields in the state's intricate and quirky caucuses, officially launching the 2018 White House race.
But along with Iowa's first-in-the-nation privileges come responsibility. After all, the state's discerning political activists can make or break campaigns painstakingly pieced together over years in a single night.So it's fitting that the caucuses, caucuses, plural, not singular caucus impose some unusual burdens on voters. In the Iowa caucuses, unlike primaries countrywide, you can't just get away with pulling a lever in a curtained polling booth at any time of the day that's convenient.
Instead, hardy Iowans must attend public meetings in school gyms, arts centres, churches, libraries, restaurants and even fire stations in 1,681 precincts to vote for a candidate. The process is much longer,it can take several hours, and far more convoluted than a primary ballot. So we've provided a guide to understanding how the Iowa voting ritual works.
When does it all start?
Caucus meetings for Iowa Democrats and Republicans begin at 7 p.m. Central Time, or 8 p.m. for the East Coast. Anyone who shows up on time can take part. But don't be late. Once the doors close, there is no entry for stragglers.
Do Democrats and Republicans run their caucuses the same way?
No.
So how do the GOP caucuses work?
The GOP process is the much simpler one. Caucus meetings begin with the Pledge of Allegiance and then activists get straight to the main event by selecting their presidential candidates in a binding vote. Each campaign gets the chance to have a representative make a final pitch to any wavering voters before a secret ballot. Some caucus sites might use a printed ballot paper. Others just go with a candidate's name on a scrap of paper. Raw totals of votes are tallied by local party officials and sent to Iowa GOP headquarters, where a running count is kept.
And the Democratic ones?
The Democratic caucus system is a little more intricate. As soon as the meetings open, attendees must declare a preference for a candidate. Typically, backers of each presidential hopeful physically stake out positions around the room. People who still can't make up their mind join a group known as "uncommitted." This is where it gets complicated. In order to be considered "viable," a group must clear a certain threshold, usually around 15% of the entire caucus turnout in each precinct. Once first-round votes are tallied, anyone stuck in a group that is not "viable" has the chance to align with a candidate who has passed the threshold.
Is that the only difference?
No. A controversial aspect of the Democratic caucuses is the lack of a secret ballot. That means people will have to live with the vote they cast in front of their friends and neighbours for the next four years. And the faint of heart may be susceptible to pressure from more vociferous contemporaries. Thus, a candidate who wins the first round of a caucus is not home safe. They can still end up losing if their supporters fail to win over backers of candidates eliminated for not passing the threshold and instead see that support go elsewhere, one reason why the organization and training of precinct captains is so crucial for campaigns.
Can independents participate?
Another wrinkle that angers critics is the way independents are shut out: Only registered Democrats or Republicans can take part. In theory, people who have not previously registered to vote can arrive at a caucus site and do so. And it is possible to switch party affiliation on the night. But the system is still criticized for keeping out more moderate voters and often leads to a perception that only the most committed, radical voters show up.
When will we know who won?
The final tabulated results will be declared by the Democratic and Republican Parties. It could all be wrapped up between about 11 p.m. ET and midnight. But soon after the caucus doors close, it should be possible for NBS to report on where the race is heading and begin the process of projecting a winner.
