It’s caucus day in Iowa and the Clinton campaign is doing everything in its power to get Iowans to their caucus locations: organizing a teenage babysitter army, shoveling snow, salting pavement, tying up all the rental vehicles in Iowa and its neighboring states. But, what actually happens at the caucus? Surely, it constitutes more than a bunch of people standing in a corner all night.
Right?
Nope.
The Democratic caucus requires a bushman tracker, walking staff, and a lot of Red Bull – once you start caucusing, you can’t leave before the whole thing is done or else your vote doesn’t count. Caucusers could be there for hours.
[nms:iowa caucus,2,0]
At the caucus location, you’d would stand in the designated corner for your candidate while a head count is taken. If your candidate has at least 15% (called a “viable candidate”) of the precinct’s vote, you stay where you are. If your candidate has less than 15%, you have to pick a viable candidate and a second head count is taken.
But, it’s not just a matter of walking over to another candidate’s corner. There is “persuasion time” between head counts and if your vote is up for grabs, supporters for viable candidates will try to talk you into voting their way.
After the second head count is taken, the results are sent via snail mail to the state party headquarters.
How do the Republicans do it? Voters show up at their polling places and cast a secret ballot just like a straw poll or other election. They vote once and go home.
Candidates! While you’re waiting for your caucus results, consider passing the time by responding to the Geek Survey. Just don’t make me stand in a corner. I haven’t done that since I was seven and pulled Jamie Wilson’s hair and threw dirt in her face at recess (she totally deserved it).
Score
Archaic Election Practices: 1 Geeks: 0
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Lisa Fary's earliest influences are Princess Leia, Rainbow Bright, Astronaut Barbie, and her 6th grade teacher, Ms. Palmer. She's angry that it's 2011 and she still doesn't have a hovercraft, but will accept a jetpack as consolation. That jetpack had better be pink with a rhinestone monogram. 
