Well, it is that time again. Time when we, the American populace, examine what has happened to our country over the past few years, determine what we each feel are issues that need to be addressed and act accordingly. Those actions are spoken with our vote for the highest office in our own government - the Presidency of the United States.
As a citizen of the State of Iowa, I am fortunate in that my voice is heard first. From the very heart of this great land, the collective voice yells out which of the candidates are better prepared and have presented what we see as the solutions to our current problems. After our voice is heard, then the rest of the nation has their say and the field of candidates narrows down to a more manageable size. The major parties present their best and brightest candidate and we all make a final determination of who we feel is the best person for the highest office in our nation.
The first round in each state is either a primary election or a caucus. I am fortunate enough to have lived in states that utilize both formats - Arizona is a 'Primary State' and Iowa is a 'Caucus State.'
When I lived in Arizona, we would go to the polls during the primary election, enter a voting booth, mark our ballot, submit that ballot and then go about our business. The polls are open all day as they are during any General Election and so you pick a convienient time, drop by, spend a few minutes to vote and then leave. Pretty much all we did when it concerned politics. Sure, some got involved, but the majority did not. So it is in a 'Primary State.'
Here in Iowa, it is quite different and seems to allow for us to each take ownership in our government. Even the format for the Republican Caucus and Democrat Caucus is different. Both parties start Caucus at a certain time, go for an hour or two and are done. When you show up to a Republican Caucus (which is the only I have personally experienced), begin as a group of several precincts meeting in a larger area. A representative from each candidate (or even the candidate themselves) is given five minutes to speak as to why they are the best person for the position. You then separate into your individual precinct, elect a chairperson and a secretary from your precinct to lead and record your voice, and then cast your ballot. Ballots are collected there, tabulated right there, in front of you and you know before you even leave the building, how your precinct voted. After that, you chose delegates to represent your precinct at the county party convention, discuss what issues you feel the party as a whole should stand for or address (these are called "Planks") and then you are done. All of the precincts get tabulated together and the totals for each candidate are called into the county party headquarters, where the totals are then sent on to the Secretary of State.
Four years ago was my first experience with the caucus and I was quite pleased and fascinated with the whole thing. This year, I even took an active roll within my precinct as the secretary and honestly feel it is much better than the primary system - it allows each voice to be heard and allows for neighbors to get better acquainted with each other and address issues on a level that is much closer to home than even can be expressed as it is in a primary state.
Some things get better with time, but for me, I really feel that the old 'tried and true' method of caucusing is the better system.
