How to caucus

Many Jasper County voters, like many other Iowans, are registered with either the Democratic or Republican parties, and have caucused before. Other voters, especially younger county voters, say they’re not that familiar with the caucus process, what it entails, and how to participate on Feb. 1.

The two parties hold their own caucuses — the county auditor and all other government agencies are not involved, and the methods differ between the Republicans and Democrats. Registered voters don’t necessarily report to their usual polling places, most will caucus at churches or private homes.

Republicans use secret paper ballots, much like a general election. Patrick Payton, who recently took over as chair of the Jasper County Republicans, said every vote in the state is counted into an aggregate total.

“We report statistics to the state party website, where a winner is declared,” Payton said. “Every vote is counted. How a candidate does in any particular county or precinct has no bearing on the overall caucus.”

However, Democrats don’t vote in secret — everyone in the room can see the choice of a caucus-goer. Taylor Van De Krol, the Jasper County Democrats chair, said the process might seem quite unlike an election to someone who has never been to a caucus.

“It might take some getting used to at first, but we’ll have as many volunteers on hand as possible to show them the ropes,” Van De Krol said. “You might be able to see who your neighbors and maybe some friends and family are caucusing for, because a precinct is in your area.”

Voters who are registered independent can still switch to one of the two party’s affiliations, as long as they are in line and ready to caucus by 7 p.m. on Feb. 1. Those who will be 18 by Nov. 8, 2016 can also caucus.

Several deadlines have already passed, including the sign-up date for military and out-of-the-country Iowans to use TeleCaucus.

Here’s a short rundown of what happens on caucus night in one of Iowa’s 1,600-plus precincts.

Democratic format

The Democratic Party of Iowa has the more elaborate of the processes of choosing a winner — especially at the precinct level.

It is especially important to be in line by 7 p.m., as those who are not in line at that time cannot participate.

After signing in, the precinct chair for your caucus will welcome everyone to caucus night, and explain the caucus rules, which include splitting up into groups favoring each candidate and possibly an “undecided” group. Three candidate groups would be ideal.

If a group is too small to be “viable” by not meeting a minimum threshold of 15 percent of total caucus-goers present, each person can join another group or acquire people into a group to become viable. After all groups are viable (meaning each group has enough members to be eligible to elect at least one delegate to the county convention), your group will elect your county convention delegates from its members.

Once this process ends, caucus-goers will elect local Democratic Party precinct leadership, who are responsible for leading party building efforts and working with Democrats within their precinct. They are required to vote at higher-level caucuses for their assigned precinct-chosen candidate on a first ballot, but not on subsequent ballots.

After electing precinct committee people, caucus-goers will have an opportunity to introduce or discuss party platform resolutions. Any caucus goer can introduce a resolution, which can be passed along to the County Convention Platform Committee.

From there, resolutions can be voted upon and can ultimately be introduced at the state convention for adoption to the state party platform.

Republican format

At each Republican location, caucus-goers might see something they’d likely never see at a public election site: candidate literature, and people actively pining for their favorites.

“You might see people at the check-in area, supporting a candidate, and there is a place in the actual caucus procedure for people to pitch their candidates,” Payton said.

At 7 p.m., each precinct will be called to order by the temporary chair, an individual appointed by the county party.

After a permanent chair and secretary are elected by those present, the first item of business will be to conduct a “presidential preference poll.”

Voting is then done by secret paper ballot. After the results are tabulated and announced, other state and county party business will proceed, such as electing county Republican central committee members and electing delegates, alternate delegates, and junior delegates to the county convention.

Following the precinct caucus, an additional three tiers of conventions will be held, moving grassroots delegates and platform proposals from the precinct level to the county, congressional district, and state conventions.

Beginning with the 2016 caucuses, Republican delegates are bound to vote at higher levels for the candidate they are sent to vote for by their precinct pluralities.

Where to caucus

See these links:

Democratic Party of Iowa caucus locations: http://bit.ly/1PBaIsO

Republican Party of Iowa caucus locations: http://bit.ly/1NsBQnc

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com