Footage obtained by FOX News Digital shows GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy engaging with liberal protesters outside a campaign event in Grinnell, Iowa. The Iowa Democratic Party has agreed to adopt a vote-by-mail process for the state’s 2024 caucuses, following pressure from the Democrat National Committee (DNC). This decision marks a significant departure from the traditional in-person caucuses and has sparked controversy among Republicans and some Democrats.
Under the new process, Iowa voters will have from mid-January until March to mail in their presidential preference cards. The registration to receive a card will begin on November 1, and they will start being mailed out on January 12. Democratic voters have until February 19 to request a card and must have them mailed by March 5, when the results will be released. Iowa Democrats have emphasized that these changes are only for the 2024 caucuses and that they intend to regain their position as the first contest in the nation in 2028.
The DNC’s decision to alter the presidential nominating calendar for the 2024 election cycle has faced resistance from both Iowa and New Hampshire. Iowa has been the first presidential contest since 1972, while New Hampshire has held the first primary for a century. The DNC’s aim was to prioritize South Carolina as an early primary state to better reflect the diversity of the Democratic Party. However, Iowa and New Hampshire have pushed back against these changes, arguing that they are being unfairly targeted and that their long-standing roles have value.
Republican Governor Chris Sununu of New Hampshire has vowed to defend his state’s position as the first primary in the nation, stating that they “will not back down.” The DNC’s Rules and Bylaws Committee granted New Hampshire a third extension to comply with the new schedule, but it is likely that the state will eventually be penalized. This could result in an unsanctioned primary that would prevent President Biden from being on the ballot.
The battle over the DNC calendar highlights the ongoing tensions within the Democratic Party and between Democrats and Republicans. Democrats have criticized both Iowa and New Hampshire for not being representative of the party as a whole, given their predominantly White populations and lack of major urban areas. Republicans, on the other hand, view the move as an attempt by Democrats to undermine the traditional early primary states and cater to specific voter demographics.
The outcome of this conflict will have implications for future presidential nomination processes and the influence of different states in shaping the electoral landscape. As the 2024 campaign trail unfolds, it remains to be seen how these disputes will impact the Democratic Party’s unity and its ability to rally behind a candidate.
