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The Dems and Repubs have different methods. I think the Repubs have more of a straw poll, while at the Dem caucuses, we got together as a big group first, then they split us up according to our precincts. Then we sat together and chatted about all the candidates, and we decided during that discussion who we would support. This is DEFINITELY not a secret ballot!!! Then we got back in the big group and had a straw poll. Any candidate that did not get 15% was dropped from the poll and then we did it again until there were only candidates with at least 15% still left. From that point, the caucus chair tallied the votes and transmitted those tallies to the county chair who then sends those tallies to the state chair. So, lets say Edwards did not get any votes from Adel County but he did get votes from Worth County. The 15% rule only applies in the local groups, so that is how a candidate can end up with less than 15% in the statewide results.
It is a convoluted process, but it is interesting as all hell to participate in it. My last time at the Iowa caucuses was 2000 and I gave my support to Bill Bradley.
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ChadKnowsLaw
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