(AmericanProsperity.com) – For the last 50-plus years, Iowa has held the first caucus in the United States, which takes place in early February. For 2024, however, the Democrats wanted to shake up the process. President Joe Biden and his advisers created a new calendar, which they put to vote on February 4, and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) approved it by a majority. Now, Iowa is fighting to retain its opening slot for 2024.
Democrats Seek Change
One of the main issues that Democrats have with Iowa starting off the presidential race is its lack of diversification. The majority of the population is white and composed of Republicans. Instead, the DNC’s Rules and Bylaws committee revealed that members wanted South Carolina elevated to the coveted first-place position. This first caucus would take place on February 3, 2024.
But they didn’t stop there. Nevada and New Hampshire would hold the next contests jointly on February 6. Georgia would hold its meeting on February 13, then Michigan on February 27. These states have a lot in common, having given Biden critical wins in the 2020 presidential election.
The Opposition
While many people are in favor of changing the order of the caucuses, it has some serious opposition, too. For example, in New Hampshire, legislators contend there’s a state law that mandates holding the first primary a week ahead of other states. Elevating South Carolina to the first position would be in direct violation. Georgia is also in opposition, with Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office saying the state would not split its primaries (Democratic and Republican).
Then, there’s Iowa and its refusal to give up on tradition. Dave Nagle, a former House representative for the state, thinks Iowa can still rally and overturn the change. After all, he did it 40 years ago, when he was the state’s Democratic Party chair. He’s holding out hope that the progressives and voters in the area won’t give up on its legacy.
Even so, Nagle might be fighting a losing battle. Polling shows that voters’ interest in keeping Iowa as the opening caucus is waning. The Des Moines Register, a local paper, surveyed 804 adults in October. While 53% believed the state should retain its spot, this figure is significantly down from the 69% who held the same belief in 2015. When broken down along party lines, only 44% of Democrats supported the notion.
Nonetheless, there’s still time to flip the decision, especially with other states along with Iowa disputing the changes. As Scott Brennan, a member of the DNC, told POLITICO: “Nothing is settled.”
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