Both the Democratic and Republican parties will hold in-person precinct caucuses on the evening of Monday, Jan. 15, 2024. You can register to vote that night with a valid form of ID and proof of address.
The Iowa caucuses are designed to welcome the participation of not only the most politically active, but everyday citizens. By our participation, Catholics can help create a foundation built on a moral vision that reflects the life and dignity of the human person.
As a part of an in-person meeting, attendees at a Republican caucus will express their presidential preference. The format will be similar to previous presidential election years.
On the Democratic side, traditional party business will be conducted the evening of Jan. 15, however, no presidential preference will be taken at the in-person precinct caucuses. The expression of presidential preference will be done by mail. Iowa Democrats will be able to request a presidential preference card through the mail or online. The last day to request a preference card is Feb. 19, 2024, and results will be released on March 5.
Preparing for the process beforehand, ask yourself: Have I considered candidates and issues through the lens of Catholic teaching first, ahead of partisanship? Making decisions in the political arena requires reflection, and a well-formed conscience is a powerful and reliable resource. Like all powerful attributes, however, a well-developed conscience takes effort. It is not a mere “feeling” but a judgment of practical reason. A review of the bishops’ Faithful Citizenship materials is in order.
What should we be looking for in leaders?
(Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church, No. 410)
“Those with political responsibilities must not forget or underestimate the moral dimension of political representation, which consists in the commitment to share fully in the destiny of the people and to seek solutions to social problems. In this perspective, responsible authority also means authority exercised with those virtues that make it possible to put power into practice as service (patience, modesty, moderation, charity, efforts to share), an authority exercised by persons who are able to accept the common good, and not prestige or the gaining of personal advantages, as the true goal of their work.
Resolutions
At a caucus, typically there is time to present resolutions for approval by the precinct. These may cover a range of issues and positions and will influence the direction of the party platform. Many groups will have resolutions ready. We have a few suggestions that you could choose among to bring to your caucus:
We support:
- Public policies that assist parents in exercising their rights as the primary educators of their child
- Increased funding for services to low-income preschool students
- Initiatives which would make health care more readily available and affordable to all Iowans
- Limiting the harm of abortion to the greatest extent possible in Iowa law
- Enhancing support for pregnant mothers, babies and families in need
- Protecting the human rights of all immigrants, including anti-trafficking efforts
- Maintaining a progressive tax code and revenues sufficient to meet the basic needs of the poor and vulnerable
- Measures to preserve, protect, and improve the quality of the air, water, and land
We oppose:
- Reinstatement of the death penalty
- Legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia
