The 2016 Iowa Democratic and Republican Party Precinct Caucuses will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 1, all across Iowa. Caucus attendees will declare their Presidential preference, elect local party leadership, and discuss issues important to them.
Local Jasper County Democratic Caucuses will be at Lynnville City Hall for residents of Elk Creek and Lynn Grove Townships, at Reasnor Fire Station for residents of Palo Alto Township, and at Kellogg Fire Station for Hickory Grove, Kellogg, Rock Creek, Buena Vista, and Richland Townships. Searsboro and Sugar Creek and Washington Townships in Poweshiek County will meet at Grinnell Middle School Media Center, 132 East Street South in Grinnell.
Local Jasper County Republican Caucuses will be at Sully Community Center for residents of Elk Creek and Lynn Grove Townships, at Four Seasons Golf for residents of Palo Alto Township, and at Holmdahl Park Cabin in Kellogg for Hickory Grove, Kellogg, Rock Creek, Buena Vista, and Richland Townships. Searsboro and Sugar Creek and Washington Townships in Poweshiek County will meet at Grinnell High School, 1333 Sunset, Grinnell.
Caucusing is an easy way for supporters to make their voices heard and discuss important issues. There are rules to follow, including: You must be a registered member of the party with whom you are caucusing and at least 18 years old by the time of the 2016 general election, to be held Nov. 8. You must arrive at the caucus location no later than 7 p.m. in order to participate. Finally, you must caucus in your designated precinct location.
Key differences exist between the Democratic and GOP caucuses.
According to the Iowa Democratic Party, the first agenda item is to form Presidential preference groups and align yourself by physically and publically standing in support of the candidate you prefer. If the group is too small to be viable, a threshold set at the beginning of the night, Democrats will be asked to realign. After all groups are viable, the group will elect county convention delegates and local Democratic Party precinct leadership. Party platform resolutions will be discussed or introduced.
Additional information about the Democratic caucuses can be found at www.iowademocrats.org/caucus-participation.
The Republican process is more private. Rather than publicly stand for their candidate choice, Republican caucus-goers write the name of their candidate on a ballot, and the process resembles a general election. Once the votes are counted and results announced, state and county party business will proceed as well as discussing, submitting, and voting on platform planks.
To learn more about caucus participation with the Republican Party of Iowa, visit www.iowagop.org/caucus-participation.
