Saturday, January 30, 2016

Iowa 2016 Precinct Caucus

Iowa 2016 Precinct Caucus

The Iowa precinct caucuses are upon us.

This year the caucuses are on Monday night, February 1, 2016.

This is another opportunity to achieve a center of power and it won't come around again for another two years.

Although the caucuses happen every two years, everyone in the country knows about the Iowa Caucuses this year because they're watching for the outcome of the Presidential Preference Poll. In non-presidential-election years, the attention given to the caucus declines greatly. Because of the media circus surrounding the Poll, most people have no idea of the other business that occurs at the caucuses. This means that it's a huge opportunity for those willing to perservere and attend their caucus on a typically cold February night.

Beyond the spotlight of the presidential race, the caucus is the most important business that happens in Iowa for the next two years -- its the business of regular folk taking back the centers of power.

Each of the dozens of precinct caucuses in all ninety-nine counties will also elect at least two (in many cases more than two) precinct committeemen to the party county executive committee. This is where everyday people like you and I can move into a center of power.

Qualifications

Most importantly, you have to show up.

You have to reside within the precinct boundary.

You have to be registered to vote (or 18 years old before November 8, 2016) and indicate a party affiliation for the party you want to represent.

You can even change your party affiliation or even register for the first time at the caucus. How easy is that? Just bring a photo identification and show up a little early to take care of that before the caucus starts.

I challenge you. Do you have what it takes to actually accomplish something of lasting effect? Or will you use one of your pat excuses? I've heard them all. (See The Power Is There for the Taking.)

To answer questions and to prepare you for your precinct caucus on Monday night, Project City Hall will produce a live teleconference on Saturday afternoon (see below) to discuss strategy and answer your questions.

What:Iowa 2016 Precinct Caucus Teleconference
When:January 31, 2016 at 7:00 pm (Central)
Where:Your home or mobile telephone
Details:To receive teleconference call details, Sign up or text Iowa PC, {your name}, {your e-mail address} to (973)498-8066

What:Iowa Caucus Night
When:Febraury 1, 2016 at 7:00 pm
Where:Your precinct caucus location

How to Determine Your Precinct

  1. Go to the Polling Place search page and enter your ZIP code and address.
    For example:
    Winneshiek County
    1959 Fox Hollow Rd, Decorah, IA 52101
  2. Note Your Precinct Name on the results page. (Don't assume that the polling place is the where the caucus will be held.)
    For example:
    CN/DEW4/DETSUP3
  3. Go to the party caucus location finder and enter your zip code, house number, and street to get to the page for the caucus location.
  4. Write down the address and print a map if you need to.
    For example:
    Carrie Lee Elementary School
    210 Vernon Street
    Decorah, IA 52101

Before the Caucus

  1. Call your county executive committee and ask how many precinct committeemen (leaders) your precinct can elect. (It will be at least two.)
  2. Ask for the procedure to nominate precinct leaders.
  3. Ask for the names of each of the current precinct leaders and their contact information (e-mail address and telephone number). If there are none, ask for the paperwork (rules, forms, building access contact) so that you can conduct the precinct caucus yourself.
  4. Ask for the number of people who attended the precinct caucus in 2012 (the previous presidential election year).
  5. Join other Iowans on the live teleconference call (see below) where you can ask questions.
  6. Prepare printed information about yourself so that you can quickly communicate the information to everyone in attendance.
  7. Prepare printed information about any party platform ideas that you have.

At the Caucus

  1. Arrive an hour early, if possible.
  2. Greet as many people as you can as they arrive and offer them your printed information.
  3. When the agenda turns to the election of precinct committeemen (leaders), make sure that your name is placed in nomination.
  4. When the agenda turns to the election of delegates to the county convention, make sure that your name is placed in nomination.

You Can Do It!

Winning a caucus election happens very quickly. You can do it if you take a few minutes to prepare in advance and have a plan. Many people are looking for leaders and will accept almost anyone who simply steps up to lead. Just look at your current set of elected officials for proof of that.

Who Should Attend?

  • Anyone who wants to take their country back.
  • Anyone who values freedom and liberty.
  • If you're already a preceinct committeeman, attend to encourage others and to relate your own experience.