(The Center Square) – Iowa Democrats said Friday they will conduct their presidential preference caucus by mail beginning on Jan. 12, 2024, and announce the results on March 5, which is Super Tuesday.
The Iowa Caucus previously kicked off the presidential primaries, but the Democratic National Caucus voted in February to hold the first primary in South Carolina on Feb. 3, 2024.
Iowa and New Hampshire have laws that say they will host the first presidential primary. New Hampshire must announce their primary date by Oct. 14, and a January date is expected.
Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart said the plan complies with Iowa law and sets Democrats up for a win in 2024.
“Republicans continue to attack our inclusive Iowa caucuses and have conspired to meddle in our party business,” Hart said in a letter to members. “Historically, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Michigan, California and other states have at one time or another begun their processes before any authorized caucus or primary state in the prewindow. To blame Democrats for chaos in the Republican calendar is unfair, misguided and just plain wrong.”
New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, said his state did back down and prevailed.
“Working hand-in-hand with Secretary of State Scanlan, bringing this to the forefront of the conversation, we made clear that New Hampshire would hold the first Primary,” Sununu said in a statement, referring to David Scanlan. “Iowa Democrats’ acknowledgement that they will not compete with the New Hampshire Primary is a win for the democratic process, our citizens, and the candidates who rely on New Hampshire to give everyone a level playing field.”
Iowa Democrats can ask the party for presidential preference cards beginning Nov. 1, according to a letter provided to The Center Square by the party. Voters will have until Feb. 20 to return the cards.
Iowa Republicans will caucus in person on Jan. 15.
“After our state legislature and governor took needed action earlier this year to preempt Iowa Democrats’ plans to derail the Iowa Caucus by running a de facto primary election instead, we are also proud to affirm that Iowa will continue to honor our half-century-old promises to the other carveout states,” Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann said in July. “We remain committed to maintaining Iowa’s cherished First-in-the-Nation Caucuses, and look forward to holding a historic caucus in the coming months and defeating Joe Biden come November 2024.”
