Iowa Dems pitch holding caucuses in factories, group homes

[highplainsdem]

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/09/19/iowa-democrats-pitch-satellite-caucus-sites-1506004

Iowa Democrats want to create satellite locations for their 2020 presidential caucuses in places as varied as group homes and factories, as they try to make the contest more accessible.

A new proposal from the state party, made public Thursday, aims to expand the caucus sites and accommodate those who are unable to show up to their local precincts on Feb. 3, 2020 — voters like shift workers, people with disabilities, military personnel and students. As it stands, caucus-goers must turn up in person to their local precinct in order to take part in the event, which can often take several hours. Those interested in holding a satellite caucus would have to submit an application to a review committee, which would make a determination.

The proposal, which must still go before a Democratic National Committee panel, came after the DNC scrapped Iowa’s earlier plan for telephone-based “virtual caucuses,” amid security concerns.

The decision, which also scuttled Nevada’s virtual caucus proposal, stirred frustration among Democrats in both states after they spent months developing plans to fulfill a new DNC requirement to expand caucus accessibility. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price helped shepherd through the alternative after the party was given just two weeks to come up with one.

-snip-

[Cha]

1. KR.. Best of Luck for full Democratic

Process

[George II]

2. They should just hold a primary like most other states.

[crazytown]

5. By State Law - New Hampshire is the first primary contest in the nation

Iowa do not have the option. NH would move the date into 2019 ... whatever it takes to be first. This is not Iowa's fault.

[CentralMass]

3. Caucuses should be replaced by primaries.

[crazytown]

6. By their own State Law - New Hampshire is the first primary contest in the nation

Iowa do not have the option to become a primary,

[Peacetrain]

4. I love my state.. but this is the one thing the republicans do better than us

at their caucuses they do a straw poll at their caucus, ... it is almost splitting the difference.. ..but I really wish we would move to a primary system.. I agree with the decision to pull the plug on the virtual caucus.. that was just asking for our results to be hacked or blown up by anyone who is not party of our party system

[Indykatie]

7. A Well Run Caucus is Still a Problem in My View.

I have a problem with IA and NH's process and timing for their primaries. The idea that NH gets to go first because it's stipulated in their constitution is mind boggling. What's to stop another State from doing the same? A small State that is 93% White should not be the first to vote when the Dem party and Media ascribes so much influence to the NH outcome. This is an affront to the base of the Dem party. End of rant.

[honest.abe]

8. I like this idea. It should help bring more folks into the process.

Hope it gets approved.

[tritsofme]

9. Caucuses should not be a valid method of choosing delegates.

They are undemocratic and unrepresentative, all voters
should be guaranteed a secret ballot.

[obamanut2012]

11. +1

[brooklynite]

10. Nevada set up Caucus sites at the Casino Hotels in cooperation with the Culinary Union

[NurseJackie]

12. Caucuses are undemocratic. Caucuses disenfranchise. Without a secret ballot...

Caucuses are undemocratic. Caucuses disenfranchise. Without a secret ballot, the aggressive behavior from the "fans" of one candidate will often intimidate and coerce supporters of other candidates.

In my opinion, caucuses are just as bad as the Electoral College.

[PhoenixDem]

13. Do anything and everything to prevent a few bullies from a militant candidacy

from stealing the election.

Also, keep Susan Sarandon out if she is not a registered voter in your state.

[honest.abe]

14. This will benefit Biden.

The higher the turnout the more likely he wins.