Iowa hosting annual caucus Tuesday at 7 p.m.

RED OAK — Iowa’s “First in the Nation” caucuses will take place throughout the state Tuesday, Jan. 3 at 7 p.m.

Iowa will once again be center stage with speculation as Republicans begin the selection process to choose a candidate who will challenge Democrat incumbent Barack Obama in the 2012 Presidential election.

Montgomery County will caucus in four locations, by precinct.

The Red Oak High School will be the location for Precinct One (classroom) and Precincts Two and Three (auditorium); Elliott’s Community Building will host Precinct Four; the Stanton High School gymnasium will be the site for Precinct Five; and Precincts Six and Seven will caucus in the Villisca High School gym.

According to a press release issued by the Montgomery County Republican Committee, the caucus agenda will include election of a chair and secretary, followed by five components: elect individuals to serve on the county party central committee; elect individuals to serve as delegates (and alternates) to the County Convention; discuss principles, values and issues caucus-goers want to see in the Montgomery County platform; elect members to serve on committees at the County Convention; and to discuss and vote for the field of candidates running for President.  

Standing committees for the County Convention consist of “Platform Committee” (to prepare the County platform that is advanced to the District Convention), “Rules Committee,” “Credentials Committee,” and “Permanent Organizations Committee.”

The Democratic Party will also be conducting a caucus, albeit a much less involved one, as their candidate is a foregone conclusion.

All county democrats will caucus in one location: the Inman Primary School.

According to information provided by the Montgomery County Democratic Party, the purpose of the caucus is to:

— Discuss and adopt proposed resolutions to be added to the county platform;

— Elect delegates and alternates to the county convention;

— Elect precinct committee persons to the county central committee.

With both caucuses, participants must reside in Montgomery County, be at least 18 years of age by Nov. 6, 2012, and be registered to vote with the respective party.

Prior to the Caucus, one can register to vote, or change their party affiliation, at the County Auditor’s office in the Courthouse.  On the evening of the Caucus, one can also register to vote or switch their party affiliation at the Caucus.

Doors to the Caucus will open at 6 p.m. and everyone who desires to attend the 2012 Caucus is encouraged to arrive early to facilitate the sign-in process and any voter registration or change of party affiliation.  No one will be allowed admittance after 7:00 pm.  To keep the Caucuses orderly, simple Parliamentary Pro-cedures will be followed as a guide only, not in the strict sense.  Everyone should bring photo identification for the check-in process.  

At the Republican Party caucus, to conserve time and eliminate delays, ideas for the County platform should be in the form of platform planks, written and ready to be submitted prior to the Caucus; the current state platform for the Republican Party can be found at http://iowagop.org/rpi-platform/.   

For more information on the Republican Party caucus, contact Margaret Stoldorf at 623-8844. For more information on the Democratic Party caucus, contact Barry Lovig at 621-0144.