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Showing posts from August, 2019

How the Iowa caucuses work and how they are different than a primary? [Video]

Here are the key differences in the Iowa Democratic and Republican caucuses In February 2019, Iowa Democrats  announced a plan to allow people to "caucus virtually"  in the week leading up to the 2020 caucus on Feb. 3. Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Troy Price called the proposed changes the "most significant" alterations to the Iowa caucuses since their inception in 1972. However, on Aug. 30, 2019, Democratic National Committee officials said they will reject  Iowa's plan . What is a caucus? A caucus is a gathering of fellow party members to discuss their presidential preferences, elect local party leadership and discuss issues that make up the party’s platform. The Iowa caucuses for both parties  will be held Feb. 3, 2020 .  There are several differences between the Democratic and Republican caucuses, but the key one is that in the Democratic caucus, the participants separate into groups based on their support of a cand...

The Democratic Party rejected Iowa's virtual caucus plan. Here's how we got here

Iowa Democrats' plan for virtual caucuses hit a major snag Friday when the Democratic National Committee  rejected the state party's plans . The state Democrats now have a two-week deadline to get national approval for its caucus plan. Here's how we ended up here and why it matters. Why did Democrats propose virtual caucuses? Caucuses, by their very nature, aren't as easy to participate in as primary elections. They're officially party organizing events, not formal elections, even though participants indicate who they support for president. Traditionally, participants need to carve out perhaps hours of time and appear in person, no matter their family or work obligations, life events, health or mobility concerns. Crowds, such as the  record-setting turnouts in 2016 and 2008 , can create chaos and add to the stress. To address those issues, the Democratic National Committee mandated Iowa and fellow caucus-holder Nevada allow so...

Could Puerto Rico’s moment be over? Leaders split on how to keep island in limelight

Just days before his dramatic ousting on Aug. 2, former Puerto Rico governor Ricardo Rosselló signed a law, with little fanfare, to move up Puerto Rico’s Democratic presidential primary elections in 2020 from June to March. It was one of his last actions before stepping down, a move that Rosselló believed could place the embattled island on the U.S. political map next year. While Puerto Ricans on the island can’t vote in the presidential election, they’ve had the right to vote in the primaries since 1979. And in the midst of a crowded field with 23 candidates, every delegate could prove crucial to win the nomination. “This law intends to bring national attention to Puerto Rico, especially in the upcoming Democratic primaries,” Rosselló said when he signed the law. “Currently, the primary is to be held in June, which reduces the impact we may have. By making Puerto Rico an early voting state, candidates will be forced to pay attention to our needs.” The law’s signing coincided ...

Appearances by all candidates, today through end of month

CANDIDATE TRACKER Use this tool to calendar and map track presidential candidate visits leading up to the #iacaucus : https://t.co/iBEOlrwuzX via @DMRegister — 2020 Iowa Caucus (@iacaucus2020) August 18, 2019 Appearances by all candidates, today through end of month

Democratic Straw Poll

A  straw poll  or  straw vote  is an  ad-hoc  or unofficial  vote . It is used to show the popular opinion on a certain matter, and can be used to help politicians know the majority opinion and help them decide what to say in order to gain votes. Straw polls provide dialogue among movements within large groups. [1] [2]  Impromptu straw polls often are taken to see if there is enough support for an idea to devote more meeting time to it, and (when not a secret ballot) for the attendees to see who is on which side of a question. However, in meetings subject to  Robert's Rules of Order , motions to take straw polls are not allowed. [3] Among political bodies, straw polls often are scheduled for events at which many people interested in the polling question can be expected to vote. Sometimes polls conducted without ordinary voting controls in place (i.e., on an honor system, such as in online polls) are also called "straw polls". The ...

Puerto Rico high court overturns swearing in of governor, clears way for justice secretary to take post

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court has overturned the swearing in of Pedro Pierluisi as the island’s governor less than a week ago, clearing the way for Justice Secretary Wanda Vázquez to take up the post after weeks of turmoil. Wednesday’s decision cannot be appealed. But it is expected to unleash new demonstrations because many Puerto Ricans have said they don’t want her as governor. Pierluisi was appointed secretary of state by then-Gov. Ricardo Rosselló while legislators were in recess, and only the House approved his nomination. Pierluisi was then sworn in as governor Friday after Rosselló formally resigned in response to angry street protests. [To be Cont.ed] Pedro Pierluisi was sworn in as Puerto Rico’s governor last week.  (DENNIS M. RIVERA PICHARDO/ASSOCIATED PRESS) By  Danica Coto Puerto Rico high court overturns swearing in of governor, clears way for justice secretary to take post

Anxious wait for Puerto Rico as court mulls governorship

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — Attorneys submitted arguments by a Tuesday noon deadline in what many consider the biggest decision in the 119-year history of Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court: who will be the governor of the U.S. territory mired in political and economic turmoil. After a sustained protest movement led to the resignation of the previous governor, the island’s 3.2 million people now await the final outcome of the constitutional deadlock pitting Puerto Rico’s Senate against Pedro Pierluisi, who was sworn in as governor late Friday. “We don’t have any other choice except to wait,” said Rita Miranda, a condominium administrator. “We’re in a serious economic crisis, we’re in a serious social crisis, and this is making it worse." As Puerto Rico awaits a decision, Pierluisi said Tuesday afternoon that he has been meeting with the director of government agencies, private sector leaders and others. “I’m going to keep working without rest,” he said as he asked for people’s...

Puerto Rico Supreme Court Ousts New Governor, and Another Is Sworn In

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SAN JUAN, P.R. — The uneasy calm that had settled over Puerto Rico after  huge protests brought down one governor  and a second one  was installed in his place  ended on Wednesday when its Supreme Court ruled that the only way to maintain the constitutional order was to swear in the island’s third governor in a week. In short order after the high court ruling, Pedro R. Pierluisi, who had filled the position since Friday, stepped down. Wanda Vázquez,  the former secretary of justice , took the oath as governor, just the second woman to hold the office. And Puerto Rico was thrust into a new period of political tumult over how long  the unpopular Ms. Vázquez  might remain on the job — and what machinations might be underway to prepare for her possible succession. After a dizzying month full of remarkable moments, Wednesday’s turn of events might have given Puerto Ricans confidence in their rule of law, but the continuing saga offered little certainty...