An Iowa Caucus Latino Primer
Ten states in the nation hold primary caucuses, another 3 are split – one party holds a primary election while the other party holds caucuses. Iowa is just the first out of the gate. But wherever they happen, they happen in much the same way. So if you don’t live in any of the caucus states, here’s a quick primer to give you a heads-up to what’s happening tonight in the Hawkeye state. First, the list of the states that hold caucuses:
- Alaska
- Colorado
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Maine
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- North Dakota
- Washington
- Wyoming
- Louisiana (Democrats)
- Montana (Republicans)
- Nebraska (Democrats)
There are 1,774 precincts in Iowa, and each has the liberty to follow its own rules, the larger precincts congregate in formal venues: schools, or community centers. The smaller precincts, mostly rural, meet where they can, even in private homes is needed. What happens in the caucuses are variations on the same themes:
- The doors will open at around 8pm, local time.
- Participants check-in, and may register as members of a specific party on-site some caucuses, like the one in Iowa, permit any registered voter to participate in any caucus, regardless of party affiliation.
- There are formalities: pledge of allegiance and such.
- This is followed
- by partisan speeches. Each candidate has a representative, or surrogate, who has a predetermined time limit to make the case for their candidate.
- After that the voting begins, usually in paper ballots.
- After all votes have been cast they’re counted.
A few things to remember about the Iowa caucus and Latinos:
- The total Latino population in Iowa is around 150 thousand.
- There is one Latino-majority city, West Liberty, in Eastern Iowa.
- 52% of the residents identify as Latino – that’s roughly 1,950.
- Overall, Latinos comprise 2% of Iowa’s voter population.
- One third of Iowa Latino voters said that immigration, specifically the DREAM Act, was the most important issue.
- Unemployment in Iowa hovers around 9%. Among Latinos it is 11%.
