MADISON, WI (WTAQ-WRN) — Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers criticized the entire process of the Iowa Caucus Tuesday, one day after technical snafus caused a massive delay in the state’s results.
“I think last night proved there’s a bit of voter suppression going on,” Evers told Wisconsin Radio Network. “What family, if you’ve got a bunch of kids, is going to say ‘I’m going to go walk around for four hours out here talking about which candidate is good’?”
The Iowa Democratic Caucus is dramatically different than a traditional primary or election process. Instead of driving to a polling place, filling out a ballot, and putting it in a machine, Iowa Democrats gather at a local school, library, or other caucus site. Not to cast their ballot, but to publically support their candidate and gather in groups with like-minded caucusgoers. If a candidate doesn’t gain enough supporters, that candidate is declared ‘non viable’ and their caucusgoers then get to choose another candidate. The people in these groups are then counted, and that’s how votes are ultimately tallied.
Iowa Republicans conduct their caucus differently. That process involves secret paper ballots filled out during a public meeting.
“Is this a good way to give people a chance to vote? You’re cutting out a whole bunch of the people that would vote if they could just go out and vote,” Evers said. “Why don’t we just go in the booth and vote? To me, that makes sense.”
Evers also questions Iowa’s “first in the nation” status in selecting presidential nominees.
