Let me clarify: this isn’t about Iowa’s First in the Nation status. That debate is separate. The real issue is that the caucus system is fundamentally flawed and excludes far too many Iowans.
To participate, voters must be at a specific location, at a set time, and stay for hours. The process is crowded, hot, noisy, and often inaccessible. There’s no absentee voting, meaning anyone unable to attend is shut out entirely. Compared to a primary, caucuses are undemocratic.
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This system disadvantages seniors, people with disabilities, those without transportation, single parents, shift workers, on-call employees, and anyone unable to stand for hours. On top of that, the public nature of voting creates risks—abusive partners, bosses, or others can pressure people into voting a certain way.
Many precincts also lack facilities to safely accommodate hundreds of participants, creating dangerous situations.
Democrats cannot claim to champion voting rights while supporting a process that systematically excludes large groups of voters. That’s hypocrisy. We need a full presidential primary in Iowa, not tweaks to a broken system.
I’m frustrated by fighting for better absentee voting laws only to see the party ignore those same principles for our own elections. We must decide: Are we for open, accessible voting—or not? For me, the answer is clear: I’m for voting. The Democratic Party should be, too.
Here’s the truth: being first hasn’t helped Iowa Democrats. It hasn’t delivered us the governorship, control of the legislature, or stronger representation at local levels. City councils, school boards, and courthouses have moved in the wrong direction.
The caucuses were billed as a powerful organizing tool, but they’ve become a distraction. While money flows into the state during campaign season, it doesn’t outweigh the real costs—financial, logistical, and human. Yes, being first helped party insiders meet candidates, myself included, but it hasn’t helped working families or strengthened our party.
I understand the nostalgia. I’ve participated in nearly every caucus since 1972 and have incredible memories—meeting leaders like Dick Gephardt, Barack Obama, and Elizabeth Warren. Personally, it has been rewarding. But for Iowa Democrats, it hasn’t delivered results.
Even Iowa State University economist Dave Swenson found that the caucuses have minimal economic impact. Most ad dollars flow to out-of-state corporations rather than supporting Iowa’s economy.
More importantly, we’ve lost focus on what matters: organizing and winning elections. Instead of obsessing over being first, we should focus on building grassroots strength.
It’s time. The Iowa caucuses have had their run, but they no longer serve the party or the people. We must replace them with a full presidential primary—a system that’s fair, inclusive, and truly democratic.
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