(Le Mars) — In ten days, Iowans will have the opportunity to start the selection process for who will be our next president as we hold the first-in-the-nation caucuses. Don Kass of rural Remsen serves as the chairman of the Plymouth County Republican party. He says the caucus, for both parties, serves as the grassroots organization for the beginning steps in selecting a presidential candidate.
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{audio} images/stories/mp3/January 2016/Kass caucus1.MP3{/audio}
Kass says at the caucus site, the republicans will be picking their precinct captains, as well as their voting delegates to the county convention. He urges everybody to participate and get involved. Kass says the local caucus is also where ideas can become resolutions, and may be part of the party’s platform.
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Kass says if the resolution is passed at the county convention, it will be forwarded to the district convention, and if passed again, it will be a resolution at the state political party convention. Another aspect of the caucus is to hear people speak on behalf of their chosen candidate. Kass says since there are a great number of candidates, and he anticipates a larger number of people will participate in the caucus process, the county republican party will place a time limit on the speeches.
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The Plymouth County Republican party chair says if a person is not registered to vote, they can register at the caucus location. However, Kass suggests the people plan ahead.
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{audio} images/stories/mp3/January 2016/Kass caucus4.MP3{/audio}
(Le Mars) — As for the democratic caucus, Mark Sturgeon, vice chair of the Plymouth County Democratic party says party officials will ask for your presidential preference at the time you first enter the doors.
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Sturgeon offers an explanation as to what is a “viable” candidate.
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The Plymouth County Democratic party official talks about what happens if a candidate does not get enough number of “viable” supporters.
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Another way the Democrats are different with their caucus is a person’s selection is not secret, but visible to all that participate. Sturgeon feels people are not bothered by the fact it is not a secret ballot.
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Like the Republicans, the Democrats will also begin forming their political platform by discussing and voting on proposed resolutions. Sturgeon says he introduces the same resolution each election cycle.
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{audio} images/stories/mp3/January 2016/Sturgeon5.MP3{/audio}
