Just curious about the Republican caucuses

[question everything]

Do they, too, have to stand up and be counted? Do "non viable" candidates then, start negotiating with the viable ones?

[progressoid]

1. Nope.

I've never been to one, but I believe they do a secret ballot.

From the IA GOP website:

At 7:00pm, each precinct will be called to order by the temporary chair, an individual appointed by the county party. After a permanent chair and secretary are elected by the body, business can begin. Since 2016 is a presidential election year, the first item of business will be to conduct a presidential preference poll. After the results are tabulated and announced, other state and county party business will proceed. This official business includes:

Electing county Republican central committee members
Electing delegates, alternate delegates, and junior delegates to the county convention
Electing members of standing committees to the county convention (depending on the county)
Discussing, submitting, and voting on platform planks to the county convention

Following the precinct caucus, an additional three tiers of conventions will be held, moving grassroots delegates and platform proposals from the precinct level to the county, congressional district, and state conventions. If you are interested in participating in the work of the Republican Party of Iowa, consider running for delegate to the county convention!

[Tashca]

2. I went in 2012 out of curiosity

The one I went to might not be the norm. I was not impressed in the least. The Democratic Party caucus is much more engaging.

There were maybe 80 people there. One person per candidate was allowed to speak for a few minutes to sell their particular choice. When that was done a blank piece of paper was handed to each person. They were to write down the candidate of their choice and fold the paper. A container was then passes down each row of people. You inserted your own piece of paper. Then a group of people counted the results and posted them on chalk board. They simply reported the totals to the State committee.

To me it was more like a primary. Nothing like the action and excitement of a caucus.

[question everything]

3. Thank you. At least this preseved the secrecy of the "voting booth."

I know of one person who attended a Democratic caucus because a family member was active on behalf of a candidate. At the general elections, however, this person voted for the Republicans..

[slumcamper]

4. SECRECY?

Secrecy is anathema to democracy. Whoever thinks they need "secrecy" is ridden with fear and insecurity. Secrecy is little more that a smokescreen for the conscience of the meek who emerge momentarily from their basement to verify they are alive.

"Preserving secrecy"--in any form--is entirely inconsistent with openness and transparency.

If you seek secrecy and wish to hide anonymously behind a cloak of procedural rules and procedures, then the Republican caucus is custom-made for you.

[question everything]

5. Secrecy vs. coercion?

Yes, in the Iowa Democratic caucus you have to declare your support in front of your family, neighbors and perhaps co-workers and bosses. You must be very young to think that no one has ever been "convinced" to follow dad's "lead."

And, in the old south, would you have share croppers voting in front of the land owners?

Why, do you think, there are now debates in several states about "selfie" in the voting booth?

[emulatorloo]

6. Too bad you can't attend an IA caucus. There is nothing 'coercive' about it.

[rurallib]

7. except the cookies!

I can be persuaded by a good snickerdoodle if any one from the other side is reading this.