- One benefit to the caucus model is that it allows for grassroots organizing. In a caucus, people show up to a precinct at an appointed time, not anytime during the day as with primary voting. The caucus participants get in groups based on their candidate choices and then stump for their candidates to get others on their side. The Republican caucus uses a "one head, one vote" model, but in the Democratic caucus, a candidate must earn at least 15 percent of the voters to be counted. Local issues become vitally important in caucuses, which forces candidates to speak to issues important to large groups of people.
- After the caucus, the participants in each precinct select a delegate to represent that precinct at the county conventions. Each county then selects someone to send to the state, and the state delegates choose people to send to the national conventions where the delegates will nominate a presidential candidate.
- Caucus-style elections force politicians to hone their platforms. While not answering in a straightforward way is a bit easier when each voter will be alone in a booth, each candidate's record and opinion is up for discussion in a caucus vote.
- According to the website Iowa Caucus, an arm of the Iowa Department of Economic Development, candidates spent $50 to $60 million in Iowa in 2004 during the lead-up to the caucus. Because each precinct is important, the candidates must spend in large cities and small towns. Also, as the first place where voters have a say, Iowa gets a large chunk of election money.
Grassroots Issues
Delegates
Platform Shaping
Money
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