Microsoft, state parties: We’re ready for the caucuses

DES MOINES - Iowa's state political parties and their technological partner Microsoft say they are prepared to report accurate and timely caucus results on Feb. 1.

Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Jeff Kaufmann, however, cautions the former is more important than the latter.

The state party leaders and Microsoft spoke with reporters this week to discuss their collaboration on reporting results the night of the Iowa caucuses.

Microsoft has developed a reporting program that precinct leaders in both parties will use to tabulate and report caucus results. Those statewide results would be collected and published on caucus night.

'It has been interesting, educational and enjoyable all at the same time, and we're looking forward to a great caucus night on Feb. 1,” said Stan Freck, Microsoft's senior director for campaign technology services.

Freck said while election-reporting programs are common, he believes this caucus program is a first.

'That's one of the reasons why we're approaching this with a lot of enthusiasm, and, quite frankly, with a little bit of nervousness,” Kaufmann said. 'But being partnered with Microsoft certainly makes a lot of that nervousness go away.”

The Republican Party of Iowa on caucus night 2012 reported Mitt Romney the winner, and days later after a recount declared Rick Santorum the winner.

The partnership with Microsoft and the new reporting program - which the company is offering at no cost to the parties - is designed in no small part to avoid a repeat of 2012.

Kaufmann said if the results are that close again this year, he may withhold the final count until it can be confirmed later.

'If we have a razor-thin situation like we had last time, I am not going to be announcing the results that night. It's that simple,” he said.