Category: Iowa Caucus

2024 Party Caucuses - What You Can Do Now

1/7/2024

A message to our members in Iowa - Attend your party caucus!
Monday, January 15th at 6 pm (arrive early)

Varied locations

Scott County Democratic Party: There is only one caucus location, North High School, 626 W 53rd St, Davenport. You will not vote for candidates. There will be a display in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. If you want to bring memorabilia to add to that display, see the flyer below.

Scott County Republican Party: Find your caucus location at this website. You can also download the Republican caucus locations in the attached flyer at the end of this blog post. Since you will be voting, bring photo ID and know your precinct.

2024_republican_caucus_locations.pdf
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What You Can Do Now - Download Platform Resolutions

1/28/2020

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Iowa Caucus: Download Platform Resolutions

Iowa Caucus

The PACG Forum Facilitators have written resolutions that they would like to see in both parties' platforms. You can access and download these from our website through the Blog post links below, and take them to your caucus site where they will be gathered. The more that are turned in, the better the chance of getting them into the platform.

Civil Rights Forum Platform Resolutions
Drug Policy Forum Platform Resolutions
Environmental Forum Platform Resolutions
Health Care Reform Forum Platform Resolutions

Allison Ambrose

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Iowa Caucus Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 pm

1/28/2020

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The Iowa Caucus Is Less Than A Week Away!
Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 pm

Message from the President

Hello Progressives,

Can you believe that, after all these months, the Iowa Caucus is less than a week away? I encourage you all to attend and participate in our democracy!

If you want to know more about the process for your party's caucus, please see Iowa Democratic Caucuses or Iowa Republican Caucuses Blog posts on our website.

In addition, the PACG Forum Facilitators have written resolutions that they would like to see in both parties' platforms. You can access these from our website through the Resolution Blog post links below. I encourage you to download these resolutions and take them to your caucus site where they will be gathered. The more that are turned in, the better the chance of getting them into the platform.

If you are passionate about an issue, volunteer for the Platform Committee. Inquire at the caucus about this.

We look forward to gathering with our members and neighbors at the caucuses on Monday, February 3rd!

Note: These resolutions express the position of our forums and not necessarily of PACG as a whole.

Civil Rights Forum Platform Resolutions
Drug Policy Forum Platform Resolutions
Environmental Forum Platform Resolutions
Health Care Reform Forum Platform Resolutions

Allison Ambrose

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Health Care Reform Forum - 2020 Platform Resolutions

1/27/2020

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2020 Platform Resolutions - Health Care Reform Forum

Here are the Health Care Reform Forum party platform resolutions. Print the ones you support and bring them with you when you caucus on Monday, February 3rd.

health_care_reform_platform_resolutions_2020.docx
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health_care_reform_platform_resolutions_2020.pdf
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Issue: the Cost of Prescription Drugs for Iowans

Whereas Americans of all walks of life are feeling the pressures of the high price of prescription drugs;

Whereas several states, including some bordering Iowa, have discussed banding together in a consortium to address the price of prescription drugs;

Whereas studies have shown that the larger the purchase of a particular drug, the lower the price; and

Whereas a consortium of like-minded states could enable a smaller state like Iowa to participate in the cost savings of large purchases that Iowa alone would not be able to realize; now, be it

Resolved that the state of Iowa shall willingly and with all possible speed agree to join such a consortium if one is discussed with like-minded states, in order to realize the largest possible savings on prescriptions for the citizens of the state.

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Iowa Democratic Caucuses

1/26/2020

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Iowa Democratic Caucuses - Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 pm
Doors Open by 6:30

Iowa Democrats and Republicans chose nominees for the presidential general election by caucus. Because the caucuses are closed, only Iowans who are registered as either a Democrat or Republican can participate in the caucus. Green Party, Libertarians, Independents and others choose their nominees in a different process which is not the subject of this Blog post.

The Democratic and Republican parties have a policy development process that involves input from members. On even years the parties from the local to national level develop platforms. A platform consists of the party’s principles, beliefs and positions that govern the organization. The platform is made up of resolutions or planks. A resolution is a policy statement, belief or value that voters believe should be adopted by the political party. At both party caucuses, resolutions/planks are submitted to the party leaders to be considered at the county, district, state and, eventually, the national level. You may bring platform plank resolutions to your caucus.

Scott County, Iowa has 63 precincts or voting districts. After the precinct caucuses both major parties convene their county conventions. At this convention the party discusses the party platform from planks submitted from members at the caucus. Delegates to the district and state conventions are elected. Iowa has 99 counties and four congressional districts, so there are four district conventions. At the state convention the party platform is debated and delegates are elected to the national convention.

The caucuses for the two parties are run very differently and the agenda, rules and procedural matters are determined at the state level by each party.

The information below is from the various websites, interviews and the Nonpartisan Caucus Training that PACG co-sponsored.

Democratic Caucus[1]
Caucuses are gatherings of neighbors where Democrats meet to organize their precinct for the upcoming election, discuss important issues, and declare their Presidential preference.

Where
The precinct caucuses will take place at all 1,678 precincts in Iowa at the same time. You can find your caucus location at: www.iwillvote.com. Your caucus location might not be where you actually vote.

Iowans who are unable to attend their precinct caucus can caucus at a satellite caucus. There are 99 satellite locations, including 71 in-state, 25 out-of-state, and 3 international sites.


When
Monday, February 3, 2020 at 7:00 pm. The caucus cannot be called to order before this time. Doors will open by 6:30 pm, and, in some cases, earlier.

All caucus-goers MUST be in line no later than 7:00 pm to participate. You may arrive early to your caucus location, but if you get there after 7:00 pm you may not caucus.

If you are unable to attend your precinct caucus, you may be able to attend a satellite caucus.


What
You will be registered as a caucus goer when you check in. You will be asked to review your contact information and sign your name. You do not have to show ID unless you pre-registered online. A picture ID is required, but it does not have to be a Driver's License. At registration, you might be given a Scott County Democrats donation envelope. If you don't get one then, you will later.

There are three main parts to the caucus -

Introductory Business: During this time the caucus will elect the permanent Chair and Secretary, hear a message from the state party chair and from elected officials. If time allows, and at the discretion of the Caucus Chair, you will hear from local candidates for office.

Remember that all of the people who are acting in any leadership capacity at your caucus are volunteers for either the Scott County Democrats (SCD) or a presidential campaign. Please be kind and respectful. They did not come up with these rules and procedures, but have volunteered to implement them at your caucus on behalf of the Iowa Democratic Party. Use your patience muscles!

The person who runs your precinct caucus is called your Caucus Chair. When you first arrive, this person will be your Temporary Caucus Chair, assisted by a Temporary Caucus Secretary. The Temporary Caucus Chair has been trained by the Scott County Democrats in all caucus procedures. Temporary Caucus Secretaries might have been trained, but not necessarily.

The first thing your caucus will do is elect a Permanent Caucus Chair and a Caucus Secretary to act as the representatives for the Scott County Democrats. Nominations for these positions will come from the floor, but will also include your temporary Chair and Secretary.

It is critically important that anyone who is nominated from the floor for the position of Permanent Caucus Chair has also been trained in this process by the Scott County Democrats. Otherwise your caucus will run inefficiently and the frustration level will be quite high. Be certain that you have a chance to hear from each Caucus Chair candidate to determine why they feel they are qualified to lead this complicated process. You may also ask why your Caucus Secretary believes they are qualified.

The voting for Permanent Caucus Chair and Secretary is done by voice vote (unless it's close, then there will be a hand count).

During the Introductory Business portion of your caucus, the Chair discuss envelopes for your donation to the Scott County Democrats and a large envelope will be passed around for state fundraising. Bring your checkbook, cash or credit card, if you are so inclined. You do not need to make a donation. But if every one of the 17,000+ people expected at caucus this year gave just $1, the Scott County Democrats could pay for all costs of this year’s caucus. Of course it is hoped that people will give more than a dollar!

Presidential Preference: During this time you will determine viability, break into preference groups by candidate, and elect delegates to the County Convention. See details below under the How section.

Party Business: During this time you will select members to the Scott County Central Committee and the Platform Committee. The Central Committee Executive Committee is like a Board of Directors for the Scott County Democrats. If time allows you may discuss platform resolutions (sometimes called “planks”) to be sent to the Platform Committee to work on for the county convention.  Ask how you can volunteer to help at the county level for these committees.

Every four years the Democratic party puts together its party platform from the ideas and beliefs that govern the party as a whole.[2] You may submit suggestions for the platform in the standard format of a resolution. All PACG Forum Facilitators have been asked to create resolutions that express their concerns for issues they are working on. These resolutions are available to download here so that you may print them off and bring them to your caucus. There are also resolution forms that will be handed out by your Caucus Chair. Resolutions must include the name and contact information for the person who wrote it and signed by the Caucus Secretary.

In addition to submitting resolutions, to have greater impact on the party platform, consider volunteering for the Platform Committee.

How
The number of delegates available for your caucus precinct is pre-determined by the Iowa Democratic Party. It is based on the Democratic performance in previous elections in your precinct. The way delegate assignments to candidates are determined is by the number of people who support a particular candidate.

Eligible caucus-goers divide to form Presidential Preference groups by standing in a section of the room devoted to their candidate.

One of changes to caucus this year is the Presidential Preference Card, which is your ballot for the caucus. This two-sided, numbered document is very important.

For ease of explanation, and to remain nonpartisan, presidential candidates in this Blog post will be different fruits.

Campaign volunteers for the various presidential candidates will have established sections of the room to represent their candidate. A campaign volunteer will be the Precinct Captain for their candidate.

If the (Permanent) Caucus Chair wishes, the Precinct Captain for each candidate will be allowed to speak to your group briefly (one minute) about why their candidate is running and what issues are important to them.

Sufficient time should be allowed for discussion with your neighbors in the various campaign groups before you are asked to make a decision as to whom you will support.

After discussion, you will be asked to move to the part of the room designated for your preferred candidate (for example, “the Apple candidate in this corner of the room and the Blueberry over by that wall”). This is the first alignment.

Once you are aligned in Preference groups your Caucus Chair and Secretary will hand out your Presidential Preference Cards. Do not fill out your Presidential Preference Card until this first alignment.

You get only ONE of these cards and it is vital that you handle it with the importance it has. If you make a mistake filling it out, turn it in to the Caucus Chair. You both will log it as a Spoiled card. You will then be given another card. All Presidential Preference Cards must be accounted for.

You will fill out the first side of your Presidential Preference Card when you are in your first alignment. Sign it and give it to the Apple (Blueberry or Pear) Precinct Captain.

The Precinct Captains take the Presidential Preference Cards to the Caucus Chair to be counted, with the assistance of the Caucus Secretary. These individuals will work together to determine which candidate groups are viable based on the number of people in the preference group (Apples), the number of delegates that the IDP has allotted to your entire precinct (which is predetermined by the party at the state level), and the number of attendees at your caucus. Again, the Chair, Secretary and Precinct Captains have been trained in the math involved in determining viability. You can help by being certain that the people attending your caucus are counted correctly and that observers of the caucus are not counted (both observers and members of the press may be at your caucus) .

If a preference group for a candidate does not have enough people to be considered “viable” (which in most precincts is 15% of the attendees at the caucus), caucus-goers will have one more opportunity to join another preference group or acquire people into their group to become viable.

If your candidate is viable after the first alignment, you may NOT change to a different candidate and you will not fill out the second side of the Presidential Preference Card. The Caucus Chair and Secretary will keep your Presidential Preference Card.

You can be Undeclared or Uncommitted as your first preference/alignment, but be cautious about this as you may not get a chance to choose a fruit candidate if the number of people in the Undeclared group is large enough to make it viable.

After the first alignment is tallied, if your candidate is not viable you will have a chance for a second alignment. You should be given time to discuss with other caucus-goers and campaigns before you are asked to choose another candidate. Once you decide you will realign, fill out the second side of the Presidential Preference Card, and the process above will repeat a second time.

Should there be more viable groups than delegates allotted to the precinct, things get a bit more complicated. The Precinct Chair will be familiar with the Iowa Democratic Party (IDP) rules to resolve this issue.

From this last grouping the delegates will be assigned to the winners. Delegates are awarded to the final preference groups based on their size.

All of the Presidential Preference Cards will be collected and retained by the IDP.

Caucuses represent democracy in action and we expect a lot of moving around and lively dialogue between caucus-goers on Monday, February 3rd.

Bring
A pen, a donation, your neighbors and your positive Democratic energy!

If you have pre-registered online, you will be asked for a photo ID. You may register to vote at the caucus and you do not need to show an ID.

If you have an idea for a resolution to the Democratic platform, bring that and either submit it or fill out one of the resolution forms that your Caucus Chair will have.

Please pack your patience and bring it along as well!

What’s Next?
1. Make sure you’re a registered Democrat in Iowa. It is possible to register to vote or affiliate with the Democratic Party at the caucus check-in.

2. Check in early by January 17th to attend your caucus. You do not have to check in early and may check in on the day of the caucus.

3. Find your caucus location.

You can do all of this at thecaucuses.org or at IWillVote.org.

Key Dates
Saturday, March 21st – County Conventions
Saturday, April 25th – District Conventions
Saturday, June 13th – State Convention
Monday, July 13th – Thursday, July 16th – 2020 Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee

For an interesting explanation of the recent caucus training that PACG co-sponsored, read this terrific article from the Quad City Times.

Alta Price
Civil Rights Forum Facilitator

Civil Rights Forum Platform Resolutions
Drug Policy Forum Platform Resolutions
Environmental Forum Platform Resolutions
Health Care Reform Forum Platform Resolutions

[1] https://acc99235-748f-4706-80f5-4b87384c1fb7.filesusr.com/ugd/5af8f4_c0231a9e8cb74072b53d8892803c1322.pdf

[2] https://democrats.org/where-we-stand/party-platform/.

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Iowa Republican Caucuses

1/26/2020

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Iowa Republican Caucuses - Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 pm
Doors Open by 6:30

Iowa Democrats and Republicans chose nominees for the presidential general election in caucuses. Because the caucuses are closed, only Iowans who are registered as either a Democrat or Republican can participate in the caucus. Green Party, Libertarians, Independents and others choose their nominees in a different process which is not the subject of this Blog post.

The Democratic and Republican parties have a policy development process that involves input from members. On even years the parties from the local to national level develop platforms. A platform consists of the party’s principles, beliefs and positions that govern the organization. The platform is made up of resolutions or planks. A resolution is a policy statement, belief or value that voters believe should be adopted by the political party. At both party caucuses, resolutions/planks are submitted to the party leaders to be considered at the county, district, state and, eventually, the national level. You may bring platform plank resolutions to your caucus.

Scott County, Iowa has 63 precincts or voting districts. After the precinct caucuses both major parties convene their county conventions. At this convention the party discusses the party platform from planks submitted from members at the caucus. Delegates to the district and state conventions are elected. Iowa has 99 counties and four congressional districts, so there are four district conventions. At the state convention the party platform is debated and delegates are elected to the national convention.

The caucuses for the two parties are run very differently and the agenda, rules and procedural matters are determined at the state level by each party.

Because this year the President will be the GOP nominee, the focus of their caucuses will be on party business and the platform.

The information below is from the Iowa GOP website.

Republican Caucus Information

Q: How do the political parties plan for the caucuses?
A: Planning begins during the spring of every odd numbered year for the next year’s precinct Caucus. The Democratic and Republican parties work closely to discuss a date for the Caucus. Once a date is established, each state party notifies its county parties of the date, locations in each precinct are reserved, caucus materials are printed, and trainings are planned.

Q: What happens at the caucuses?
A: In addition to casting a vote for president, the caucuses serve as a launch pad for grassroots activism. After casting your vote for president, members will be elected to serve on your local county central committee, delegates and alternate delegates will be selected for your county party convention and platform planks can be submitted to shape your county party platform.

Q: Where are the caucuses located?
A: Iowans gather according to party preference in designated schools, public buildings, churches, or even in private homes. Every effort is made to use public buildings for caucus locations, however, when public buildings are not available, churches or private residences are used. The caucus location is determined by the County Chairs of each political party for all 1,680 precincts. Individual locations are determined by accessibility and the expected turnout of each precinct. The polling locations for your primary and general elections are normally not the same location for your precinct’s caucus.

Q: What time do the caucuses start?
A: The caucuses begin promptly at 7:00 pm but any participants should plan to arrive at their precinct location by 6:30pm to get checked in and seated. Arriving early allows for the caucus to begin on time.

Q: Who votes in a caucus?
A: Anyone who will be 18 by Election Day 2020 may attend and participate in a caucus. Participants must be registered with the party of the caucus they are attending. Voter registration forms are available at each caucus location and participants can register the same day that they caucus. Younger Iowans who are not eligible to participate as a registered voter are encouraged to attend to learn about the caucus experience. Young people may also wish to be elected as a junior delegate. Each phase of the Caucus-to-Convention process has special sessions for junior delegates to learn about the process.

Q: Do voters need to be registered to attend and participate in the caucus? If so, can an individual register at the caucus? Can party affiliation be changed when the voter arrives?
A: Again, anyone who wishes to participate in a caucus must be a registered voter with the party of the caucus they wish to attend. An eligible individual can register at the caucus and/or change their party affiliation at the caucus by filling out an official voter registration form.

Q: Can someone go to the caucus to observe without participating?
A: Yes, individuals who would like to attend a caucus as an observer but not as a participant may do so, however, they should contact the county party of the caucus they wish to attend to ensure space is available at the location.

Q: Can I volunteer to help at my local caucus? If so, how?
A: Yes! Volunteers are essential to successfully holding a caucus. It takes roughly 10,000 volunteers to run a caucus statewide and help is always welcomed. You can contact the Republican Party of Iowa and ask to volunteer in your precinct, or sign up by clicking here: https://www.iowagop.org/caucus_volunteer

Key Dates
Saturday, March 14th – County Conventions
Saturday, April 11th – District Conventions
Saturday, May 16th – State Convention
Monday, August 24th – Thursday, August 27th – 2020 Republican National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina

Scott County Republican Party Information
Scott County (Iowa) Republican Party: We are a committed group of volunteers who are working to elect Republicans in Scott County, Iowa and throughout the United States. Currently our executive committee consists of a Chair, three Vice Chairs, Secretary, two Finance Co-Chairs, Treasurer, and Immediate Past Chair. Our Central committee is composed of two precinct leaders from each of our 63 precincts in Scott County, who are elected at each biennial caucus and who serve a 2-year term.

More information is available here: https://scottcountyrepublicans.org/about-us/

For an interesting explanation of the recent caucus training that PACG co-sponsored, read this terrific article from the Quad City Times.

For information about resolutions to submit at caucus, choose the following links:

Civil Rights Forum Platform Resolutions
Drug Policy Forum Platform Resolutions
Environmental Forum Platform Resolutions
Health Care Reform Forum Platform Resolutions

Alta Price

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2024 Party Caucuses - What You Can Do Now

A message to our members in Iowa - Attend your party caucus!
Monday, January 15th at 6 pm (arrive early)

What You Can Do Now - Download Platform Resolutions

Iowa Caucus: Download Platform Resolutions

Iowa Caucus Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 pm

The Iowa Caucus Is Less Than A Week Away!
Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 pm

Health Care Reform Forum - 2020 Platform Resolutions

2020 Platform Resolutions - Health Care Reform Forum

Here are the Health Care Reform Forum party platform resolutions. Print the ones you support and bring them with you when you caucus on Monday, February 3rd.

Iowa Democratic Caucuses

Iowa Democratic Caucuses - Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 pm
Doors Open by 6:30

Iowa Republican Caucuses

Iowa Republican Caucuses - Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 pm
Doors Open by 6:30

Archives

Categories

2024 Party Caucuses - What You Can Do Now

A message to our members in Iowa - Attend your party caucus!Monday, January 15th at 6 pm (arrive early)

What You Can Do Now - Download Platform Resolutions

Iowa Caucus: Download Platform Resolutions

Iowa Caucus Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 pm

The Iowa Caucus Is Less Than A Week Away! Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 pm

Health Care Reform Forum - 2020 Platform Resolutions

2020 Platform Resolutions - Health Care Reform Forum

Here are the Health Care Reform Forum party platform resolutions. Print the ones you support and bring them with you when you caucus on Monday, February 3rd.​

Iowa Democratic Caucuses

Iowa Democratic Caucuses - Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 pmDoors Open by 6:30

Iowa Republican Caucuses

​Iowa Republican Caucuses - Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 pmDoors Open by 6:30

Archives

Categories

A message to our members in Iowa - Attend your party caucus!
Monday, January 15th at 6 pm (arrive early)

The Iowa Caucus Is Less Than A Week Away!
Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 pm

Here are the Health Care Reform Forum party platform resolutions. Print the ones you support and bring them with you when you caucus on Monday, February 3rd.

Iowa Democratic Caucuses - Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 pm
Doors Open by 6:30

Iowa Republican Caucuses - Monday, February 3rd at 7:00 pm
Doors Open by 6:30