Iowa

Iowa Democrats’ presidential caucuses underway: How many requested preference cards?

Published

2 years ago

February 22, 2024

Iowa Democrats’ presidential caucuses underway: How many requested preference cards?

A total of 19,609 Iowans have requested the presidential preference cards they’ll need to participate in the Iowa Democratic Party’s first-ever mail-in presidential caucus, party officials said Thursday.

The deadline to request the cards, which function like normal election ballots, was Feb. 19.

Party leaders said the final batch of preference cards will be mailed out to Iowa Democrats on Monday and should arrive in mailboxes within 24 hours.

The cards must be returned to the state party or postmarked by March 5 in order to count. Results will be announced that day, which is known as Super Tuesday, at a to-be-determined time.

More: Iowa Democrats can make their presidential pick in the 2024 mail-in caucus. How it works:

Party officials said they will store returned cards in a secure location in the lead up to March 5, and they will begin tabulating them “around March 1.”

Although Democratic President Joe Biden has not faced a significant challenge in his run for a second term here in Iowa, two other names also will appear on Iowans’ cards: author Marianne Williamson and U.S. Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota. Iowa Democrats also can choose to say they are “uncommitted” to any of the candidates.

Williamson has since suspended her campaign.

The change to a mail-in caucus on Super Tuesday follows a protracted battle with the Democratic National Committee, which voted last year to replace Iowa at the front of the presidential nominating calendar.

For the first time since 1972, Iowa Democrats have not held that lead-off spot, instead ceding the honor to South Carolina.

When Republicans met to caucus for president earlier this year, Democrats also gathered, but only to conduct party business. They chose instead to move to an entirely absentee system for casting presidential preferences. They said it would be a way to improve access and participation in the contests, which historically draw far less people than a traditional primary.

More: The death of the Iowa Democratic caucus: How 50 years of jury-rigging doomed an American tradition

Unlike a primary, the Democrats’ previous in-person caucuses required Iowans to show up at 7 p.m. on a Monday night, creating barriers for those with child care needs, mobility issues, jobs that require evening work and more. They have said they hope the move to a mail-in caucus will eliminate some of those participation barriers and lead to a more robust caucus electorate.

Turnout numbers have traditionally been difficult to pin down for Democrats, who until recently did not release raw vote totals for each contest, instead relying on a complex formula for “state delegate equivalents.”

News reports differ on the total Democratic turnout in 2012, the last time an incumbent Democrat ran for president. But party officials peg the number at about 15,000.

In 2020, the last time Republicans ran an incumbent president, about 32,000 people participated. That year, then-Republican President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign made a concerted effort to drive up turnout, even though the race was uncontested.

The Iowa Democratic Party said in a statement the group is hoping to set the standard for future success in more competitive election cycles.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure seeing the response we’ve had to our new Presidential Preference Card process,” the statement said. “While it’s clear that President Biden will be our nominee, it’s important Iowa Democrats participate in our mail-in caucus so that we can set ourselves up for success in 2028 and beyond.”

Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Register. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.

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Iowa

Top Iowa high school football Round of 16 playoff games, and our predictions

Published

5 hours ago

October 30, 2025

Press Room

Top Iowa high school football Round of 16 playoff games, and our predictions

The Iowa high school football regular season is over, and now it’s time for the playoffs.

Last week, teams in Class 3A, 4A and 5A wrapped up their regular seasons, while teams in Class A, 1A, 2A and 8-player kicked off the postseason with first-round games. That means it’s all win-or-go-home from here on out, with 16 teams remaining in all seven classes.

This week’s schedule is packed with exciting matchups.

We’re picking 10 games each week of the IHSAA season and attempting to predict the outcomes. Each week, we’ll provide an update on how successful – or unsuccessful – those predictions are.

We finished the regular season with a 63-27 record in our picks, after going 9-1 last week.

Here are our predictions for some of the best Iowa high school football Round of 16 games.

Ankeny Centennial at Johnston

This hasn’t been the Jaguars’ season, and the Dragons have come out on top in games that mattered most. So long as Johnston does what has worked against teams like Ankeny and Southeast Polk, the Dragons should advance to the quarterfinals. Johnston 30, Ankeny Centennial 13

Central DeWitt at Wahlert Catholic

On paper, Central DeWitt looks like the more complete team in this matchup, but Wahlert Catholic came out on top when these teams met in the regular season. That game was less than a month ago, and there’s a chance that the Sabers get their revenge in the postseason. Wahlert Catholic 19, Central DeWitt 14

Dallas Center-Grimes at Sioux City East

The Black Raiders boast a 2,000-yard passer in Cal Jepsen; the Mustangs balance a trio of receivers with Ozzie Grimm’s success in the ground game. If Dallas Center-Grimes can come out with a couple of turnovers, the Mustangs could end Sioux City East’s season. Dallas Center-Grimes 27, Sioux City East 20

Fort Dodge at Newton

Both teams enter this matchup with 8-1 records, and Fort Dodge has some difference makers on both sides of the ball. But the Cardinals are battle-tested, and Nick Milburn is a defender who can keep any opposing offense on its toes. Newton 35, Fort Dodge 21

Glenwood at North Polk

If the Comets are healthy, they should win this first-round game. But North Polk had to go without starting quarterback James Armstrong in the regular season finale against Gilbert, and things didn’t go well. Because Glenwood relies a lot on the run and the Comets struggled in that department against Gilbert, the Rams might have the advantage in this one. Glenwood 28, North Polk 17

Iowa City West at Cedar Falls

The Trojans look like a tough team to beat on both sides of the ball, but Cedar Falls has walked away with some upsets this season. Iowa City West should have the advantage with the number of impactful players on offense, though. Iowa City West 28, Cedar Falls 14

Southeast Polk at Ankeny

It’s difficult to imagine a playoff bracket without Southeast Polk making a deep run, but Ankeny looks like the stronger team on paper. Between Kael Roush and Daniel Larmie – and company – on offense and a defense that capitalizes on turnovers, the Hawks could send the Rams packing early. Ankeny 30, Southeast Polk 16

Underwood at West Marshall

Underwood’s offense runs through Garrett Luett, and it’s been difficult for opposing defenses to slow him down. But West Marshall’s defense loves to get after the quarterback, and if they can alter the Eagles’ game plan, that could be good enough for a win. Underwood 27, West Marshall 17

Van Meter at Roland-Story

Experience means a lot at this point in the season, and the Bulldogs have plenty after making it to the state semifinals last season. Van Meter should benefit from that senior leadership, as well as sophomore Christian Williams’ dominance on both sides of the ball. Van Meter 14, Roland-Story 12

Waukee at Iowa City Liberty

The Warriors pulled out some unlikely wins at the end of the season, but Iowa City Liberty came up with some upsets, as well. The Lightning’s defense, though, tends to capitalize on opponents’ mistakes, and that should benefit Liberty. Iowa City Liberty 35, Waukee 24

Alyssa Hertel is the college sports recruiting reporter for the Des Moines Register. Contact Alyssa at ahertel@dmreg.com or on Twitter @AlyssaHertel.

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Iowa

Iowa State Wrestling Holds 2025-26 Media Day – Iowa State Athletics

Published

24 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Press Room

Iowa State Wrestling Holds 2025-26 Media Day – Iowa State Athletics

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State wrestling held its annual media day Tuesday afternoon ahead of a highly anticipated 2025-26 season. You can watch head coach Kevin Dresser‘s press availability below.

ISU enters a season with seven past All-Americans on its roster for the first time since 1982-83.

The Cyclones open their season Nov. 8 hosting the Cyclone Invitational Presented by Daily’s Premium Meats.

KEVIN DRESSER PRESS CONFERENCE

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Iowa

Iowa State University to host public presidential finalist forums

Published

2 days ago

October 28, 2025

Press Room

Iowa State University to host public presidential finalist forums

Finalists for Iowa State University’s presidency will come to campus next week to meet with stakeholders and introduce themselves to the public in the hope of being selected for the role. The Iowa Board of Regents announced Tuesday that three of the four finalists recommended by the ISU Presidential Search Committee have accepted invitations to […]

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