����vlog

The Iowa Democratic Party State Central Committee met Saturday morning to officially approve holding in-person precinct caucuses on January 15, 2024. The date coincides with the national holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Republican Party of Iowa will also hold caucuses on Jan. 15. They voted to approve the date in July.Iowa Democrats will hold in-person precinct caucuses only to conduct party business. There will not be any expression or tabulation of presidential preference in person."The purpose of the precinct caucuses will be to elect unbound delegates to county conventions, elect precinct committee persons, and move platform resolutions to the county convention," a draft of the Iowa Democratic Party delegate selection plan, released in May, states.Instead, Iowa Democrats plan to select a presidential preference through an entirely mail-in format. They have not released details on when presidential preference cards would be sent out or the deadline for Iowans to return them.“Iowa Democrats will honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by renewing our commitment to protecting our freedoms so that we may ensure future generations continue to have a voice," Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said. In June, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a Republican-led plan into law that bans mail-in caucus format. "While Iowa Republicans continue to add barriers to the ballot box, the reimagined Iowa caucuses will be the most inclusive process in history and our leaders in Black and Brown communities will guide us every step of the way," Hart said.Jeff Kaufmann, Republican Party of Iowa Chairman, responded in a statement.“The Republican Party of Iowa is committed to honoring the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., by calling for true grassroots democracy in action on MLK Day," Kaufmann said. "Claiming that we are trying to erase his legacy with our caucus is totally disingenuous and the type of partisan rubbish that voters are sick of hearing.”Iowa Democratic Black Caucus Chair Al Womble also commented on the announcement."Iowa Republicans have no claim to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy and in fact couldn’t even be bothered to mention his name in their caucus date announcement," Womble said. "We will not allow them to erase the importance of this day. We are indebted to Dr. King’s work and sacrifice and owe it to his memory to stand up for what’s just and right."Iowa Legislative Black Caucus Chair Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines also commented on the decision to hold in-person caucuses on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.“Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has been celebrated in Iowa since 1986. Iowans have always respected and held in high esteem the work of Dr. King," Rep. Gaines said. "His birthday should be a day to respect his legacy and Iowa Democrats will do what Iowa Republicans are ignoring." Iowa Democrats plans also come as the presidential nominating calendar for Democrats across the country remains uncertain.The Democratic National Committee voted in February to strip Iowa of its first-in-the-nation status and instead selected South Carolina to hold the first spot. Iowa law, however, requires state parties to hold caucuses eight days before any other state contest.National Democrats have also promised to punish any state that breaks their rules. Any state that defies the new presidential nominating calendar approved by the DNC will automatically lose half its delegates to the national convention.Iowa Democrats have until Oct. 14 to re-present their caucus plan to the national party. They're expected to finalize when they will tabulate and release caucus results during the October meeting.