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brooklynite

(93,834 posts)
Mon Feb 11, 2019, 06:59 PM Feb 2019

Iowa Democrats propose major 2020 change: 'Virtual caucuses'

Source: Politico

The Iowa Democratic Party laid out a proposal Monday that would add a major change to its presidential caucuses, allowing for absentee voting by phone on six different days through “virtual caucuses.”

The proposed change, set out on a call by Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price on Monday, would allow Democrats to phone in absentee votes, rating their presidential preferences in a ranked choice style. Previously, only those who physically attended the Iowa caucuses could register their votes.

The proposed changes must still go before the state central committee and back to the Democratic National Committee and is part of a larger mandate to make caucuses more accessible.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/11/iowa-democrats-2020-change-virtual-caucuses-1163889

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pecosbob

(7,502 posts)
1. I can testify that the last caucus here in Nevada was pretty nasty
Mon Feb 11, 2019, 07:19 PM
Feb 2019

I'll withold judgement on this change for the present. A bit unseemly when the populi lose their vox.

JustABozoOnThisBus

(23,282 posts)
2. If an "in person" caucus can get raucous, imagine "online".
Mon Feb 11, 2019, 07:27 PM
Feb 2019

All the charm of the Jack Pine Radical site, but without the decorum.

Plus, all the new Iowa voters named Boris or Ivan.

 

DRoseDARs

(6,810 posts)
8. Mine in south Reno was pretty mellow. Clinton/Sanders camps butted heads but were civil...
Mon Feb 11, 2019, 08:40 PM
Feb 2019

They actually *debated* points/counterpoints on some things. Wasn't like the still-on-going nastiness here on DU...

pecosbob

(7,502 posts)
9. I walked up the the community center in East Las Vegas where ours was held
Mon Feb 11, 2019, 08:43 PM
Feb 2019

and felt like I had been ambushed by a group of time-share salespeople before I even got to the door.

 

DRoseDARs

(6,810 posts)
10. Mercifully didn't have any of that, organizers were mostly trying to breathe under the crush...
Mon Feb 11, 2019, 09:04 PM
Feb 2019

of record numbers of attendees, where to put everyone, and how to handle the overflow. I vaguely recall politicking was forbidden outside of the actual caucus work groups, might've been a localized rule from the Washoe Dem HQ to keep the peace. A friend of mine who was in an opposite candidate camp than me reported having a similar experience at his caucus location.

 

Bilegurken

(58 posts)
4. Caucuses are stupid and should end
Mon Feb 11, 2019, 07:36 PM
Feb 2019

Primaries work. Caucuses are just a clever way to waste people's time and energy.

 

Codeine

(25,586 posts)
6. The fuck's wrong with a primary?
Mon Feb 11, 2019, 08:27 PM
Feb 2019

All this energy expended on clinging to old traditions for no reason, just vote and be done with it.

Demsrule86

(68,347 posts)
14. Caucuses are terrible and make it tough for people to attend...if Iowa won't enact a primary than
Mon Feb 11, 2019, 10:58 PM
Feb 2019

time to move their place in the primary line...a virtual caucus where the votes don't cost is a waste of time and money.

question everything

(47,263 posts)
15. Second that
Tue Feb 12, 2019, 03:17 PM
Feb 2019

Not only that, in Iowa one has to stand up and be counted.

You have to show your preferences in front of your neighbors, your family members, perhaps your boss, customers, co-workers.

I know of someone who voted for Obama in 2008 because the son was active in the campaign. In the general elections, however, voted for McCain..

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