Don't they pay for their transportation to/from the caucus? Parties before and after? What percentage of the population can vote in the caucus as opposed to a primary?
Don't they have to screw around several hours to vote in one? How many working 2nd shift can vote?
Nope, they are a joke.
Pay for transportation? I doubt it, as caucus sites are highly local on a neighborhood level.
Some of that might go on, but most people are traveling short distances. In my area 4 years ago I could have walked.
But I'm sure if someone supports a candidate; they would offer to drive others there; especially elderly folks. No different than getting people to the polls in November.
Now at the straw polls, yes that did on. Candidates bussed people in from all over the state, the straw poll was held at one location.
There are no parties on caucus night, again that was as straw poll thing where candidates spent a lot of money on that stuff.
The straw poll is a big outdoor party in August held on the campus of Iowa State. Buses, bands, food; weird looking political type people, etc.
It is big, flashy and sexy and the media loves it.
But the straw poll doesn't count for anything. It is only a fund raiser the party puts on. It is not an official vote in any way. Most people here in Iowa don't view it as serious thing anyway.
You are mixing together 2 totally separate things.
The caucuses are boring things. We print our own signs at home and pass the hat around to collect funds to pay for church or school rentals. It is not a big flashy thing at all.
There are probably some folks that cannot participate in the caucus due to work schedules. I haven't heard that as a major complaint before, but it would be factor for some.
Bottom line is the caucus are nothing like the straw polls. The straw poll doesn't count for anything. It is only a fund raiser the party puts on. It is not an official vote in any way. Most people here in Iowa don't view it as serious thing anyway.