Iowa Students To Attend Iowa Youth Caucus

Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate, in conjunction with the Iowa Democratic Party and the Republican Party of Iowa, is pleased to announce the formation of the Iowa Youth Caucus. On Thursday, November 19, Iowa middle school and high school students will gather at sites around the state to participate in this event.

They will learn about the presidential candidates, participate in both parties’ mock caucuses, and cast their votes for the candidates of their choice. The results will be tabulated by Secretary Pate’s Office and posted on the Secretary of State’s website, www.sos.iowa.gov, on November 19. The Iowa Youth Caucus is connected to the “Caucus 101” curriculum developed by Secretary Pate for Iowa high school students.

Democratic and Republican parties in almost two-dozen counties around the state are working in a bipartisan fashion to stage the Iowa Youth Caucus. The effort is an expansion of the High School Mock Caucus conducted by Polk County Democrats and Republicans over the past two years. Their respective executive directors, Tamyra Harrison and Gloria Mazza, played integral roles in organizing this statewide effort.

“We’re very excited about giving our young people the opportunity to learn first-hand about how the Iowa Caucuses work,” said Secretary of State Paul Pate. “Being first in the nation is a serious responsibility. I think this activity will give them the background they need to become engaged in civics in their community.”

"The Iowa Democratic Party is proud to partner with the Iowa Republican Party and the Secretary of State's Office on the statewide Youth Caucus initiative,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Dr. Andy McGuire. “The Iowa caucuses are one of Iowa's greatest traditions, and through this program we will be able to educate young Iowans about the caucuses and what it means to be first-in-the-nation. We are excited to get more young people involved in the caucus process all over the state of Iowa."

“Secretary Pate's innovative thinking and tireless work ethic have helped introduce a whole new generation of Iowans to our caucuses, an essential part of preserving our first-in-the-nation status. I'm proud to stand here today with both Secretary Pate and Chairwoman McGuire as we unveil the details of our Youth Caucus training. We might be old partisans but you won't find an inch of separation between our two parties when it comes to our first-in-the-nation status,” said Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann.

More than 1,200 students have already registered for the Iowa Youth Caucus. Registration is still open for those who want to participate. Go to www.Caucus101.com/resources or the Iowa Youth Caucus page on Facebook to register.

Here is a list of counties participating in the Iowa Youth Caucus. Unless otherwise noted, the event will be held on Thursday, November 19. Times might vary by school, but generally, registration will begin at 4:30 and the Youth Caucus gets underway at 5:30.

County                       Location
Allamakee                  Waukon High School
Boone                           Boone High School
Buchanan                   Independence High School
Buena Vista                Storm Lake High School
Cass                              Atlantic High School
Clinton                        Central DeWitt High School
Dallas                          Adel-Desoto-Minburn High School
Fremont & Page        Shenandoah High School
Guthrie                       Panorama High School
Johnson                      Coralville Public Library
Jones                           Kirkwood Community College (Oct. 23)
Keokuk                       Sigourney High School
Linn                            Cedar Rapids Washington High School
Marshall                     Marshalltown Community College
Polk                             Des Moines Hoover High School
Ringgold                     Mt. Ayr High School
Scott                            Scott County Library in Eldridge (Dec. 5)
Story                           Ames High School
Taylor                         Bedford Elementary School
Union                          Creston High School
Warren                       Indianola High School
Winneshiek                Decorah High School

Office of Iowa Secretary of State Paul D. Pate