Dallas County Democrat and Republican leaders encourage area residents to show up early for the 2020 Iowa Caucus on Monday, Feb. 3.
Doors to the Dallas County Democrat caucus locations will open between 6 to 6:15 p.m. on Feb. 3. The caucuses will start at 7 p.m.
Dallas County Democrats Chair Bryce Smith encourages residents to get to their caucus location as early as possible.
“You must be in the building or in line to check in by 7 p.m. that night. You cannot come late, you have to be there before 7 p.m. in order to get in and get registered,” Smith said. “If the line is out the door at 7 p.m., that’s OK as long as you’re in line by 7 p.m.”
Smith added that they are still looking for volunteers to help with checking people in, directing people inside and throughout the building and more.
“Anything like that would be a dramatic help,” he said. “We can never have too many volunteers.”
Those willing to volunteer should come to their caucus location between 5:30-6 p.m. and look for the county/precinct captain wearing a button.
Coming early is also encouraged by the Dallas County Republicans.
“They are at 7 p.m. sharp. It’s really important that people know they need to arrive prior to 7 p.m.,” said Patti Brown, Dallas County Republicans Treasurer and Communications Director, of the caucuses.
She encourages residents to be at the caucus locations by 6:30 p.m. She added that the doors will close at 7 p.m. and those not checked in will not be able to participate.
Coming early will also help with parking concerns.
“A couple things. We’re hoping that people will, one, show up early. If they have any mobility impairments or if they need any assistance, showing up early will ensure they get a parking spot close enough,” Smith said. “Two, if they can carpool. If they know a neighbor or a group of people in the neighborhood or in that precinct where they are going to be in the same location, it would be great to have them ride together.”
He added that it may work for a family member or someone else to drop people off and pick them up. The caucuses, he said, should take around an hour and a half to two hours. Some locations may finish early.
Smith has communicated with all of the local police departments and sheriff’s offices. Those departments are aware that many caucus locations will have overflow parking concerns. Though he said people should make sure not to double park or park in intersections or block fire hydrants.
As for the caucus itself, Smith said participants will need to be registered Democrats. Those wishing to participate in the caucuses can register that night.
Smith added that caucus-goers do not need to show any form of identification. Instead, they will be asked to state their name and verify their address and contact information.
On the Republican side, Brown said attendees can also register that night. Though she added that with the voter ID rules in effect, caucus-goers will need to present identification.
Smith also suggests attendees bring their own pens. A change to this year’s Democratic caucus includes participants filling out a preference card with their first and/or second choice. While Smith said there will be pens available at each location, bringing your own will make the process go smoother.
“We really hope that there are as little and as few barriers as possible throughout this whole process,” Smith said. “Be early, be patient, enjoy the process.”
That process has been a long one for the Dallas County Democrats, as Smith said planning started around 18 months ago to find enough locations that were large enough and met accessibility demands.
Typically, Smith said the caucuses bring out around 30 percent of registered Democrats. This year, he added that they are expecting a turn-out closer to 50 percent of registered Democrats across Dallas County.
“We’re expecting a larger turnout, but we’re also expecting a lot of new faces so our goal is to make sure that they are welcomed, that they are encouraged to participate and that they understand the process as best as possible,” Smith said.
The Democrats have 34 precincts and 22 caucus locations across the county. Some of those locations, like Linn/Washington/Lincoln Township between Perry and Redfield may see around 50 on Feb. 3. Smith said others, like West Des Moines 221, which includes Jordan Creek, may see around 800.
Brown said the Republicans aren’t expecting as large of numbers as the 2016 caucuses. Still, she said it’s important for local residents to come out on Feb. 3.
“Oh, absolutely, because not only are we caucusing regarding presidential preferences, but we’re also doing county and party business that night,” she said. “There will be county platform planks that get proposed, that will then move on to the county convention. This is a really local, grass-roots opportunity at the precinct level to participate.”
Smith and Brown reiterated how important it is for local Democrats and Republicans to show up early and to be patient. They also encourage residents to come out to the caucuses on Monday, Feb. 3.
“What this caucus process is about is a lot of bringing Democrats together and building for a future,” Smith said.
“Just come out and do your civic duty, participate in the process,” Brown said. “This is a true process of democracy, the caucus, and it really gives a voice to the people. You need to come out and participate.”
Dallas County Democrats Caucus Locations
Adams: Grace Lutheran Church, 23932 Meadow Rd. Adel, IA 50003
Adel 1: ADM Middle School, 801 Nile Kinnick Dr. S. Adel, IA 50003
Adel 2: Grace Lutheran Church, 23932 Meadow Rd. Adel, IA 50003
Beaver/Des Moines: Woodward Granger High School, 306 W. 3rd St. Woodward, IA 50276
Clive 5: Eason Elementary School, 605 Boone Dr. Waukee , IA 50263
Clive 6: Eason Elementary School, 605 Boone Dr. Waukee , IA 50263
Colfax/Adel: ADM High School Commons, 801 Nile Kinnick Dr. S. Adel, IA 50003
DeSoto: ADM DeSoto Intermediate School, 317 Spruce St. DeSoto, IA 50069
Linn/Washington/Lincoln: West Central Valley Middle School, 1375 High St. Redfield, IA 50233
Perry 1: Perry Middle School, 1200 18th St. Perry, IA 50220
Perry 2: Perry Elementary School, 1600 8th St. Perry, IA 50220
Perry 3: Perry Middle School, 1200 18th St. Perry, IA 50220
Spring Valley/Dallas: Perry Elementary School, 1600 8th St. Perry, IA 50220
Sugar Grove/Dallas Center: Dallas Center Grimes Middle School, 1400 Vine St. Dallas Center, IA 50063
Union: West Central Valley Middle School, 1375 High St. Redfield, IA 50233
Urbandale 13: Ignit Sports Complex, 200 SE 37th St. Grimes, IA 50111
Urbandale 14: Ignit Sports Complex, 200 SE 37th St. Grimes, IA 50111
Urbandale 15: Radiant Elementary School, 5050 170th St. Urbandale, IA 50323
Van Meter: Veterans Memorial Reception Hall, 910 Main St. Van Meter, IA 50261
Walnut/Grimes/Grant: Woodward Granger Elementary School, 2002 Oak St. Granger, IA 50109
Waukee 1: Vince Meyer Learning Center, 400 Locust St. Waukee, IA 50263
Waukee 2: Shuler Elementary School, 16400 Douglas Pkwy Clive, IA 50325
Waukee 3: St. Boniface Church, 1200 Warrior Lane Waukee, IA 50263
Waukee 4: Shuler Elementary School, 16400 Douglas Pkwy. Clive, IA 50325
Waukee 5: St. Boniface Church, 1200 Warrior Lane Waukee, IA 50263
Waukee 6: Vince Meyer Learning Center, 400 Locust St. Waukee, IA 50263
West Des Moines 221: Holiday Inn and Suites Convention Center, 6075 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266
West Des Moines 222: Noah’s Event Center, 1805 90th St, West Des Moines, IA 50266
West Des Moines 223: Fox Creek Center, 33365 335th St. Waukee, IA 50263
West Des Moines 224: Fox Creek Center, 33365 335th St. Waukee, IA 50263
West Des Moines 225: Maple Grove Methodist Church, 9155 Ashworth Rd. West Des Moines, IA 50266
West Des Moines 226: Holiday Inn and Suites Convention Room, 6075 Mills Civic Pkwy, West Des Moines, IA 50266 HOLIDAY INN & SUITES CONVENTION ROOM, 6075 MILLS CIVIC PKWY, WEST DES MOINES, IA 50266
West Des Moines 321: Woodland Hills Elementary, 1120 S. 95th St. West Des Moines, IA 50266
West Des Moines 322: Woodland Hills Elementary, 1120 S. 95th St. West Des Moines, IA 50266
Dallas County Republicans Caucus Locations
Precinct
Location
Address
Number of Delegates
Adams
Peace Lutheran Church
34128 L Ave. Adel
7
Adel 1
ADM High School Library
801 Nile Kinnick Drive, Adel
6
Adel 2
ADM High School Library
801 Nile Kinnick Drive, Adel
12
Beaver-Des Moines
Woodward Middle School Auditorium
306 W 3rd Street, Woodward
7
Clive 5
Heartland Presbyterian Church
14300 Hickman Rd, Clive
11
Clive 6
Heartland Presbyterian Church
14300 Hickman Rd, Clive
15
Colfax-Adel
Country Lane Lodge
29300 Prospect Circle, Adel
7
De Soto
Van Meter High School Commons Area—East Dining Hall
520 1st Ave, Van Meter
3
Lincoln-Linn-Washington
Washington Township Consolidated School
2298 210th St, Minburn
5
Perry 1
Perry Library
1101 Willis Ave, Perry
4
Perry 2
Perry Library
1101 Willis Ave, Perry
4
Perry 4
Perry Library
1101 Willis Ave, Perry
4
Spring Valley-Dallas
Perry Library
1101 Willis Ave, Perry
3
Sugar Grove-Dallas Center
Dallas Center Memorial Hall
1502 Walnut St, Dallas Center
10
Union
Dexter Round House
707 Dallas St, Dexter
8
Urbandale 13
Walnut Hills Elementary
4240 NW 156th St, Urbandale
16
Urbandale 14
Walnut Hills Elementary
4240 NW 156th St, Urbandale
15
Urbandale 15
Walnut Hills Elementary
4240 NW 156th St, Urbandale
10
Van Meter
Van Meter School—Commons Area—East Dining Hall
520 1st Ave, Van Meter
14
Walnut-Grant-Grimes
Granger American Legion Post
520 1st Ave Granger
9
Waukee 1
Waukee Elementary
850 6th St, Waukee
11
Waukee 2
Grant Ragan
645 NE Dartmoor, Waukee
11
Waukee 3
Grant Ragan
645 NE Dartmoor, Waukee
11
Waukee 4
Grant Ragan
645 NE Dartmoor, Waukee
13
Waukee 5
Waukee Elementary
850 6th St, Waukee
12
Waukee 6
Waukee Elementary
850 6th St, Waukee
11
WDM 221
St Francis Church
7075 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines
13
WDM 222
Brookview Elementary School Gym
8000 E.P. True Pkwy
9
WDM 223
St Francis Church
7075 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines
8
WDM 224
Maple Grove Elementary
1455 98th St, West Des Moines
2
WDM 225
Maple Grove Elementary
1455 98th St, West Des Moines
10
WDM 226
St Francis Church
7075 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines
5
WDM 321
Westwood Baptist Church
895 S 60th St, West Des Moines
9
WDM 322
Brookview Elementary School—Commons Area
8000 E.P. True Pkwy
5