Democrats need to change caucuses

Iowa Democrats are again focusing on whether Iowa will retain its first-in-the-nation caucus status. While this may or may not be a relevant topic of concern, given the fact that Iowa is clearly no longer even a purple state but solidly red, nonetheless they are overlooking a more critical concern. While strongly supporting free and open elections and rightfully criticizing our own Republican-controlled Legislature and those of a growing number of other states who are passing laws severely restricting access to the election process, Iowa Democrats continue to support an archaic, irrelevant caucus system that makes participation in the nomination process very difficult for thousands in the state.

If you are working a day job, fine. You can attend your precinct caucus. If you happen to be one of the many who are working evenings, when the caucuses are held, happen to be out of town on that night for business or are ill that day, you are unable to participate in this very important process. While it was heartening to see hundreds turn out for a caucus in precinct after precinct in general elections the past twenty years or so, how wonderful it would have been to see even thousands more participate. The system needs to be changed and the hypocrisy over an open election process ended.

Jim Davis

North Liberty