2014 Caucus to Convention

Important Dates Precinct Caucuses: January 21, 2014 County Convention: March 8, 2014 District Convention: April 26, 2014 Primary Election: June 3, 2014 State Convention: June 14, 2014

2014 Iowa Caucuses January 21, 2014

When Tuesday, January 21, 2014 Start time 7 P.M. statewide – Come early. The caucuses begin at 7:00, but we recommend getting there between 6:30 and 6:45. Average time 1 hour, but varies at each location

Why? Defend our values such as life, marriage, and religious liberty. – There is a movement to have both parties support gay marriage. – If neither party supports our values, it will make it extremely difficult to further our issues in state and federal governments. Become a delegate to elect leaders in the political parties that share our values.

Why? U.S. Senate and several Congressional primaries may end up at State Convention. Caucuses are the first step to being a delegate at state convention. Be a witness. – Matthew 28:18-20, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Qualifications Citizen of the United States Resident of Iowa Resident of a voting precinct 18 years old by November 4, 2014 Registered with political party for which you are caucusing – You can register or switch party affiliation that night at your caucus location. Just arrive early.

Where do I go? Locations are determined by local county political parties. Most locations are either a school, convention center, or church. Entire county may be in one caucus location, but will likely be in multiple locations based on county voting precincts. Caucus sites will be posted in local newspapers. Caucus sites will also be posted on political party websites. – Republicans: – Democrats: Information is also available through your local county auditor.

What do I do when I arrive? Check in at registration table. Volunteers will be at table to help you with this process. Bring a photo ID. Remember if you are not registered, come early. Take a seat.

3 Purposes of the precinct caucus Elect individuals to serve on county party central committee. Elect delegates to the county convention. Submit values and issues planks you want to see in your party platform.

Elect Central Committee Members County Central Committee members are the local governing body of the political party. This is different than being a delegate to the county party. These positions are filled through a nomination and election. Serve the county party for two years. Have a large say in what the local party stands for and how it operates.

Elect Delegates to County Convention Must be elected to county convention to serve at district and state conventions – District and state conventions are crucial. Further explanation in the presentation. Easiest to win a delegate space by bringing friends to support you Delegates vote on county platform, which is the first step in the process to determine what issues the state party will stand for – It is our goal to make sure the party continues to stand for life, marriage, religious liberty, and other pro-family values.

The beginning of the process to build the party platform, which is the document that states what the political party believes. Our goal is to get pro-family stances in the party platform. Submit pro-family planks at your caucus. The planks will then be voted on and moved on to the county convention if passes. Assistance will be provided at the precinct caucus. Platform Planks

Examples – We support a personhood amendment to the US Constitution that states, “Personhood and life begins at Conception” and that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, and property, according to the 14th amendment with- out due Process of Law and shall hold all officials accountable to enforce it. – We oppose the use of public revenues for abortion, and call for elimination of government funding for all organizations, such as Planned Parenthood, which advocate or support abortion. – We support legislation requiring a parent or legal guardian’s consent before an abortion or any reproductive surgery is performed on a minor child. – We call for the elimination of the Federal Dept. of Education. – We support federal and state constitutional amendments, voted on by the citizens, which define marriage as only between one natural man and one natural woman.

County Convention March 8, 2014 Cost: Average $20 Elect delegates to the district and state convention. – We need pro-family Iowans to run for this position so we can ensure we have pro-family Iowans voting on crucial votes at state and district conventions. More on next slides. Vote on platform. – Want to ensure platform is pro-family. Feel free to bring your kids. – They can sign up to be Junior Delegates. – Junior Delegates write their own platform as well as engage in an excellent civics lesson.

District Convention April 26, 2014 Cost: Average $40, which covers both district and state conventions Elect state central committee members. – The governing body of the party – We want people who share our values in these positions to ensure we have a political party that shares these values. – State central committee is responsible for electing party chairman. A pro- family central committee will help us get a pro-family chairman. State of Illinois recently had a pro-gay marriage chairman. Vote on party platform. – Want to ensure the platform is pro-family Bring your kids to be Junior Delegates.

State Convention June 14, 2014 The final step in the process If no candidate reaches 35% in the primary they will be voted on by the convention delegates. – U.S. Senate, 3 rd District and 1 st District Congress may all be decided at the state convention. – Only delegates will be allowed to vote. Party platform is voted on and ratified.