Posted by DEAN SKIP RUTHERFORD – As we prepare for the January 3 watch party here at the Clinton School where, via speakerphone, we will speak with journalists, campaign staffers, consultants and pundits, here are some facts about the Iowa caucus:
*There are 1,781 precinct caucuses.
*Only two percent of the registered Iowa voters are African Americans.
*An estimated 15-30 percent of the caucus goers will be first-timers.
*More than one million phone calls will be made to Iowa voters before the caucus.
*Students attending Iowa colleges and universities (even if they are from out of state) can participate as long as they are 18 years old by the time of the November election and are registered to vote.
*In 2004, young voters made up about 17 percent of the total; seniors made up about 27 percent.
*The Democrat and Republican caucus rules are different.
*For the Republicans whoever gets the most total votes wins; however, people write names down instead of marking them on a ballot. For example, If you write the name “Mike” for Mike Huckabee or “Rudy” for Rudy Giuliani those votes count.
*Democrats vote for delegates which are determined by percentages attending each caucus. This framework is designed to give the state’s rural areas more attention from the candidates.
The watch party begins at 7:30 p.m. Reservations can be made by emailing Publicprograms@clintonschool.uasys.edu