What is the point of a caucus?
caucus – From the Algonquian Indian language, a caucus meant “to meet together.” An informal organization of members of the House or the Senate, or both, that exists to discuss issues of mutual concern and possibly to perform legislative research and policy planning for its members.
What does a caucus determine?
A state’s primary election or caucus is usually an indirect election: instead of voters directly selecting a particular person running for president, they determine the number of delegates each party’s national convention will receive from their respective state.
How did Obama do in the Iowa caucus?
According to exit polls, 93 percent of voters in the Iowa Democratic Caucus were Caucasian and 33 percent voted for Obama, 27 percent for Clinton, and 24 percent for Edwards; 4 percent of voters were African American and 72 percent voted for Obama, 16 percent for Clinton, and 8 percent for Edwards; 3 percent
Who can caucus in Iowa?
You must be registered to vote to participate in a caucus, but you may register or change your registration at the caucus site. The Auditor’s Office recommends that any voter who registers or updates their registration after January 1 bring their voter registration card with them to the caucus site.
How many states use a caucus system?
Today all 50 states and the District of Columbia have either presidential primaries or caucuses. States parties choose whether they want to hold a primary or a caucus, and some states have switched from one format to the other over time.
What is Super Tuesday and why is it important?
Super Tuesday is the United States presidential primary election day in February or March when the greatest number of U.S. states hold primary elections and caucuses. Approximately one-third of all delegates to the presidential nominating conventions can be won on Super Tuesday, more than on any other day.
Which states are winner take all?
The slate winning the most popular votes is the winner. Only two states, Nebraska and Maine, do not follow this winner-take-all method. In those states, electoral votes are proportionally allocated. Can a candidate win the electoral vote, but lose the popular vote?
How are electoral votes determined?
Electoral votes are allocated among the States based on the Census. Every State is allocated a number of votes equal to the number of senators and representatives in its U.S. Congressional delegation—two votes for its senators in the U.S. Senate plus a number of votes equal to the number of its Congressional districts.
How is a delegate chosen?
Pledged delegates are elected or chosen at the state or local level, with the understanding that they will support a particular candidate at the convention. A candidate must win at least 15% of the vote in a particular contest in order to receive any delegates.
How much did Obama win Iowa by?
Obama won Iowa with 51.99% of the vote to Romney’s 46.18%, a Democratic victory margin of 5.81%,.
Who competed against Obama in 2008?
2008 United States presidential election
| Nominee | Barack Obama | John McCain |
| Party | Democratic | Republican |
| Home state | Illinois | Arizona |
| Running mate | Joe Biden | Sarah Palin |
| Electoral vote | 365 | 173 |
How did Obama do in Iowa in 2008?
Iowa was won by the Democratic nominee, Senator Barack Obama of Illinois, the state next door, by a 9.54% margin of victory. Obama took 53.93% of the vote while his Republican opponent, Senator John McCain of Arizona, took 44.39%.
How does New Hampshire primary work?
Unlike a caucus, the primary measures the number of votes each candidate received directly, rather than through precinct delegates. Unlike most other states, New Hampshire permits voters who have not declared their party affiliation to vote in a party’s primary.