Why is Iowa still "first in the nation" to vote for President?

[kentuck]

I guess at one time they were considered to be sensible, moderate, middle-America that was representative of the nation at large?

Obviously, that is not the case anymore. They have shown themselves to be nutcases, easily manipulated and fooled by any charlatan that comes down the road, and are not deserving to be "first in the nation" to make the choice for President, in my humble opinion.

Perhaps they would be better suited to go last in choosing our President?

I suppose it is up to individual states to choose their caucus and primary dates but Iowa seems like a poor choice to be at the front of the line.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

1. There will be no Democratic caucuses in Iowa

Iowa and New Hampshire are both 90+% white and do not reflect the demographics of the modern Democratic Party. The GOP is holding caucuses but the Democratic Party is not. The results of the Iowa caucus and the New Hampshire primary will not affect the nomination process for the Democratic Party

[rsdsharp]

3. That's not true. In person Democratic caucuses will be held next Monday.

Attendees will not be voting for President at that time, but can vote by mail on Presidential Preference Cards; the choices will be Biden, Phillips, Williamson or undecided.

The party will start mailing out previously requested cards on the 12th, the last day to request one is February 19th, and the results will be announced on March 5th.

[madaboutharry]

5. The Iowa caucuses are January 15th.

That is for both Republicans and Democrats.

The Democrats changed the format and people can now caucus by mail with the results being announced on Super Tuesday.

[LeftInTX]

11. So they're voting by mail? Much better than the high pressure caucus.

[rurallib]

2. To answer your question some time back in the '70s someone had the bright

idea to pass a law that came up with the cockamamie caucuses and stated in the law that those caucuses must go first.

Then every four years we go through a national stupid contest to see who goes first and we get threats of primaries and caucuses on Christmas Eve.

It is a big money maker for Iowa restaurants and motels. When it comes to lobbying restaurants are right up there with guns.

[tritsofme]

4. If Biden's changes stick, it will become only a beauty contest for Democrats, meaningless for delegates.

And who cares what Republicans do?

So sounds like your concerns have already been addressed.

[former9thward]

8. Democrats will vote on Jan 15th and mail ins will count after that.

It is not a beauty contest. It will count for delegates.

[brooklynite]

6. Because nobody else wanted to be...

Until the 1070s most States picked Presidential nominees in smoke filled rooms. IA and NH has the notion of letting ordinary people vote.

Additionally, the scale of campaigning in Iowa let lesser known and less well funded candidates compete through retail politics.

[Abolishinist]

9. And the winner is... William the Conqueror!

"Until the 1070s most States picked Presidential nominees in smoke filled rooms. IA and NH has the notion of letting ordinary people vote."

But yeah, the history of the process, along with the cost factor of campaigning, is a big factor. And let's face it, by adding the primary process to both the electoral college and two Senators per state, not to mention gerrymandering, we're really far from being a democracy (OK, a constitutional federal republic). Perhaps we should start with Illinois?

According to NPR, "Asma Khalid analyzed and indexed the demographics of each of the 50 states compared with the national averages and found that Illinois might be more appropriate based on factors like race and income.

But if you look to bigger states for more diversity, you could end up with a caucus state that's actually too big."

https://www.npr.org/2016/01/29/464804185/why-does-iowa-vote-first-anyway

[brooklynite]

12. If we're going to change, let's at least pick a competitive State...

Not one we’ll never win and not one we’ll ever lose.

And one with a low cost media market so less well known candidates can compete.

[question everything]

13. LOL

[former9thward]

7. We had President Obama because of the Iowa Caucus.

He won and that gave him the momentum to win the nomination. Are you opposed to that result?

[MichMan]

10. Pretty ironic that he won in a state derided for being too white

[question everything]

14. And Jimmy Carter who came behind "uncommitted