Changes to the Democratic Party’s Caucuses
Mail-in ballots are replacing realignment and complicated math from previous caucuses
submitted by the Allamakee County Democrats
The Iowa Democratic Party has made a significant change to its caucus process this year. Democrats will vote for a presidential candidate using a mail-in ballot instead of the realignment and calculating processes of past caucuses.
Why is a mail-in ballot being utilized this year in place of the previous caucus process? Iowa Democratic Party Chairperson Rita Hart said in a news release the party is committed to making this the most inclusive caucus in history. “Iowans who work a third shift, families that may not have access to childcare, or seniors who are homebound can now make their voices heard in our presidential process,” she said.
There will be no Presidential preference activity taking place at the scheduled January 15 Democratic Caucus (see more information below and in the bordered box at right about this year’s caucus); all Presidential preference will be conducted by mail-in Presidential Preference Card. This year’s Presidential preference approach involves the following two-stop process that initially allows multiple options for participating:
STEP 1: Request an absentee Presidential Preference Card (ballot) by February 19. Go to https://iowademocrats.org/caucus to complete one of the following two options:
Fill out the request for a Presidential Preference Card (ballot) and submit that form online; Or download and print a printable form, fill it out, and mail it to: Iowa Democratic Party at 5661 Fleur Drive, Des Moines, IA 50321;
Otherwise, a Presidential Preference Card can also be requested by telephone:
Call the Iowa Democratic Party at 515-216-3893 to request a Presidential Preference Card (ballot). That line is monitored by Iowa Democratic Party staff and volunteers.
STEP 2: Once a Presidential Preference Card (ballot) is received, vote for a Presidential preference by filling it out. Then, mail it back to the Iowa Democratic Party (at the Des Moines address listed previously in this article) by March 5. Democratic candidates for President listed on that ballot will include President Joe Biden, U.S. Representative Dean Phillips of Minnesota and author Marianne Williamson. The results of the Iowa Democratic Caucus voting will be verified by the State of Iowa party and announced March 5 of this year, meaning the state’s votes will be part of Super Tuesday with more than a half-dozen other states.
IN-PERSON CAUCUSES JANUARY 15 AT 7 PM
Across Iowa, County Democratic Parties will hold in-person caucuses January 15. Participants must be in line by 7 p.m. At the in-person caucuses, delegates and alternates to county conventions will be elected, platform resolutions can be submitted, and the election of county central committee members will occur.
The importance of caucusing in-person is summed up by Allamakee Democratic Co-Chair Karen Pratte, “Caucusing in-person amplifies your voice. If reproductive rights and freedoms are important to you, caucus. If the freedom to learn and strong public schools are important to you, caucus. If affordable health care, good paying jobs, affordable housing, and stopping corporate price gouging are important to you, then caucus. If the survival and strengthening of our cherished democracy is important to you, caucus. Coming together, organizing at the grassroots level is vital to putting people first and it all begins with getting involved.”
In-person caucuses in Allamakee County will be held in New Albin (New Albin Community Center), Harpers Ferry (Ethel Robinson Meehan Harpers Ferry Community Center), Lansing (Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library) and Waukon (Wellness Center). Democrats can find their caucus site at https://iowademocrats.org/caucus and in The Standard newspaper (see listing in bordered box at right).
Those who wish to caucus with the Allamakee County Democrats and request and submit a Presidential Preference Card must:
• Be a registered Democrat and be living in Allamakee County. Registration can be completed at the in-person caucus being held January 15.
• Be 18 years old by November 5 of this year.
Iowa law prohibits participating in more than one political party’s caucus.
Allamakee County Democratic Party Caucus Locations
Monday, January 15 at 7 p.m.
Participants must be signed in or in line by 7 p.m. in order to participate.
All Allamakee Democrats are encouraged to attend.
ALLAMAKEE DEMOCRATS WILL MEET IN THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS:
WAUKON WELLNESS CENTER (Senior Room)
1220 3rd Ave. NW - Waukon
Pct. 1 Waterloo & Hanover Twps
Pct. 2 French Creek, Jefferson, Ludlow, Makee, Union Prairie Twps.
Pct. 3 Post & Franklin Twps. & Postville
Pct. 4 Paint Creek & Linton Twps. & Waterville
Pct. 8 Waukon Ward 1
Pct. 9 Waukon Ward 2
Pct.10 Waukon Ward 3
HARPERS FERRY COMMUNITY CENTER (Council Room)
238 N 4th St, Harpers Ferry
Pct. 5 Fairview & Taylor Twps. & Harpers Ferry
LANSING PUBLIC LIBRARY
515 Main Street - Lansing
Pct. 6 Lafayette, Center, Lansing Twps. & Town of Lansing
NEW ALBIN COMMUNITY CENTER
137 Railroad Ave. - New Albin
Pct. 7 Union City & Iowa Twps. & New Albin
The purposes of this year’s caucus is to:
1. Discuss and adopt proposed resolutions to the Allamakee County Platform.
2. Elect Unbound Delegates and Alternates to the County Convention
3. Elect Precinct Committee Persons to the County Central Committee
The precinct caucus is a way to get involved in grassroots activities, to have your voice heard, and to make a difference.
QUESTIONS? Message the Allamakee Co. Democrats at www.facebook.com/allamakeecountydemocrats/
