In case you missed it, the Iowa Caucuses are Monday Feb. 3rd at 7:00pm!
JANUARY 2020
Advocacy at the Iowa Caucuses
In case you missed it, the Iowa Caucuses are Monday Feb. 3rd at 7:00pm!
Participating in a caucus is a bit more complicated than voting in a primary or general election, however, it is a great opportunity to be involved in the political process. Iowa APSE has compiled some resources and tips on how you can get involved and how to encourage others to do the same. It is an opportunity for you to advocate on behalf of employment-related issues that you care about.
Take-Away Resource:
How to talk with your legislators about E1st – 2 page resource from APSE and the Harkin Institute
Both the Democrats and the Republicans will be holding caucuses on Feb 3rd. Many times, they will be in different rooms in the same location. The caucus is not like an election where you vote for a candidate; you are selecting people or delegates to go to county and then state and maybe even the national conventions where they support your candidates.
Iowans with Disabilities in Action has a caucus guide that covers most everything you need to know. It is available online at
http://www.infonetiowa.org/documents/cms/docs/Caucus_Guide_2020.pdf
The first thing you will need to do check out your voter registration.
The first thing you should do is check out your voter registration. You must be a registered voter for the party you are caucusing with. You can register to vote or change your party at the caucus, but it will be busy! You can check your registration and, if you need to, change your party on the website of the Iowa Secretary of State – click the link. You can also register to vote using that link. It will take about two weeks to get your voter registration and each party will get a listing of the registered voters for their party a few weeks before the caucus. You want to be on this list, so do this now!
Next, find your caucus location! Use the ID Action Caucus Guide to find caucus locations for your party. It is a good idea to visit the caucus site to verify accessibility. If you have concerns, the caucus guide has the party contact names and numbers for each county. You should call ahead if you need interpreters or similar accommodations. It will be worth it to arrive 30 minutes or so early, the caucus will not let you in unless you are in line before 7:00 pm.
Get involved at the caucus!
One of the advantages of the caucus system is that it gives all of us the opportunity to be involved in a political party as delegates and party committee members. If you are interested, this is your chance to raise your hand for these opportunities. Another way to get involved is to offer petitions to be included in the party platform. The platform is the list of issues and positions the party supports. The caucus guide talks about how you can do this and gives some examples.
Iowa APSE has drafted two examples of petitions you can print and take to your caucus.
*Print these to bring to your caucus and submit them with your name. Anyone attending a caucus can propose a resolution that asks the party to take a position on a specific issue.
Click to download one or both:
Resolution of Sub-Minimum Wages
Resolution on Employment of Iowans with Disabilities
Resolution on Sub- Minimum Wages
Submitted by: _____________________
Whereas: The subminimum wage provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) were enacted in 1937. Section 14c of FSLA allows for the payment of less than minimum wage to persons with disabilities. Under 14c wages earned are determined based on outdated piece rate productivity standards.
Whereas: 34 businesses in Iowa have 14c Certificates issued by the Department of Labor, with 2992 people are being paid below the minimum wage.
Whereas: Persons with Disabilities have knowledge and skills as well as the right to be paid equally and participate in the general workforce alongside others without disabilities.
Therefore, be it resolved that the (Democratic or Republican) Party supports the elimination of the Subminimum wage and supports the transition of people with disabilities into the general workforce.
Resolution on Employment of Iowans with Disabilities
Submitted by: _____________________
Whereas: An estimated 15% or 365,000 of Iowans have a disability.
Whereas: Iowa has an historically low unemployment rate around 2.4% and Iowa businesses need workers to meet their needs.
Whereas: Persons with Disabilities have knowledge and skills as well as the right to participate in the general workforce alongside others without disabilities.
Therefore, be it resolved that the Iowa (Democratic or Republican) Party supports laws and initiatives to encourage public and private businesses to recruit, hire, and train persons with disabilities to meet their workforce needs.