Iowa caucus math doesn't add up????

[Omaha Steve]

I just had this sent to me. This doesn't look like the formula used at the Council Bluffs precinct (7) I was at.

The Democrats used a method of counting votes they had not used in the
past. In discussing this with someone who went to the Democrat Caucus in
their preceint. Obama received 48% of the votes cast there Edwards
got about 24% and Hillary received 24%, but they were advised that there
were only 3 delegates to be selected that meant they divided the % by 30
giving Obama 1.6 delegates Rounded to 1, Edwards .8 rounded to 1 and
Hillary .8 rounded to 1. so as you can see they each received 1 delegate
to the Primary in June.

I went to the Republican Caucus in my prceint, and it came out Romney 40
votes, Huckeleby 36, Thompson 23. No one else received any votes.

[CoffeeCat]

1. Please don't spread this disinformation...

It seems that there is a concerted effort to nullify the Iowa caucus results,
therefore eroding support for Obama.

Please don't believe this nonsense, or spread this disinformation.

It's simply not true.

The methods used in the Iowa caucuses, were the same methods used last
year, and the year before that, etc.

Someone is playing dirty games.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

2. Actually, the OP suggests Obama did even better in Iowa than it appeared.

[aquart]

3. I don't disbelieve you and I hate wading into this

But anything with numbers is not my friend and it has to be explained as to an eager five-year-old.

From the two paragraphs up there, it sounds like Obama got twice as many votes as each of the others, so if there were four delegates, he would have gotten two, and the others one each. But there were only three so they gave one to each of them? So Obama got screwed in delegates? How does this erode support? (No idea what the second paragraph is about.)

[Debi]

5. Thanks TwoSparkles

For whatever reason people just hate the 'preference of the electorate as a whole' part of the Iowa Caucuses. I don't think it can ever be explained or defended enough.

[Debi]

4. Here's the Iowa Democratic Party's caucus guide

http://www.iowafirstcaucus.org/pdfs/2008_Caucus_Guide.pdf

Here's the information I think you want for your friend:

<snip>

11) Caucuses that elect only one county convention delegate:

If there is only one county convention delegate to elect, the delegate will be
elected by the caucus as a whole by majority rule. The caucus will not divide into
preference groups. Written ballots MUST be used. Note: All ballots must be
signed

Skip to item 29.

12) Caucuses that elect two or more county convention delegates:

The Chair will determine whether the caucus attendees wish to divide into
preference groups. When more than 15% of the caucus attendees wish to
divide, then the caucus will divide into preference groups. If more than 85% of
the caucus attendees do not wish to divide, then the delegates shall be elected
by the caucus as a whole.

If your caucus does not divide into preference groups, skip to item 29.

13) Now the Chair will determine the viability threshold that a preference group must
attain in order to be considered viable.

The Chair will count the number of eligible voting caucus attendees and
announce the number to the caucus.
Reminder: An eligible caucus attendee is:
· A resident of Iowa and of the precinct in which they wish to participate.
· A U.S. citizen and otherwise eligible voter (18 by November 4, 2008).
· A registered voter, registered as a Democrat (they can register at the
caucus).
· In line or signed in by 7:00pm.
Note: This process may not begin until 7:00pm

14) After the number of eligible caucus attendees has been determined, the viability
threshold is calculated based on the number of delegates the caucus is to elect.

Note: When calculating viability, always round UP to the next whole number.

a. In caucuses that elect two (2) delegates, preference groups must contain at
least 25% of the caucus attendees in order to be viable. This can be
calculated by using the following formula:
Number of Eligible Caucus Attendees x 0.25 = Viability Threshold

b. In caucuses that elect three (3) delegates, the total caucus attendees should
be divided by six (6) to determine the viability threshold. This can be
calculated by using the following formula:
Number of Eligible Caucus Attendees (divided by)6 = Viability Threshold

c. In caucuses that elect four (4) or more delegates, preference groups must
contain at least 15% of the caucus attendees in order to be viable. This can
be calculated by using the following formula:
Number of Eligible Caucus Attendees x 0.15 = Viability Threshold

15) Once the viability threshold has been determined, the Chair will announce that
number to the caucus.

Note: The viability threshold remains unchanged throughout the course of the
caucus, even if attendees leave before delegates are awarded.

<snip>

It was always easier for the media to report the 15% viability threshold than explain that there were several levels to the threshold. This is the way viability has been determined since the 1970's. It is nothing new.

Hope this helps.

[Omaha Steve]

6. Here are the numbers in the caucus chairs own writing for precinct 7

223 registered for caucus.

Obama 77 votes = 6.57 gets 7 delegates

Edwards 76 votes = 6.47 gets 6 delegates

Clinton 69 votes = 5.87 gets 6 delegates