Iowa leads the political way
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After thrusting President Obama to the fore on the road to the White House and being the third state in the country to legalize same-sex marriage, Iowa has earned the title as a trendsetter.
Gay marriage ruling
The UI’s reputation for being a bastion of liberalism was demonstrated after April’s controversial gay-marriage decision, making Iowa the third state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage. After the ruling came down, students and community members gathered on the Pentacrest to celebrate, while local legislators lauded the decision.
However, a vocal minority decried the ruling, including some religious groups on campus.
The UI has at least two registered pro-gay advocacy groups on campus: the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allied Union and Med Iowa’s Queer Students.
Political organizations
The UI also has numerous student political organizations people can join, with the two main ones being the University Democrats and the College Republicans. Others include the libertarian-leaning Advocates of Liberty, Antiwar Committee, and Students for a Free Tibet.
“It’s a way to meet new people who share like-minded ideas — people that you can feel comfortable with,” said Derek Bohlke, the newly elected chairman of the College Republicans.
During last year’s contentious Democratic and Republican presidential caucuses and primaries, numerous student organizations touted the merits of different candidates. When both major parties selected their respective candidates, the UI’s Students for McCain and Students for Obama stuck around.
Iowa caucuses
Iowa employs a political process that may be a little foggy to out-of-staters. Instead of simply voting for a preferred presidential candidate during primary season, registered voters partake in a lengthy process called a caucus.
The Iowa Democratic Party and Iowa Republican Party hold their own caucuses.
At each site, caucusers arrange themselves in groups based on which candidate they back. If a candidate group doesn’t garner enough support, other groups can persuade that person’s supporters to back their candidates.
Results are then compiled from around the state.
Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucuses are famous for catalyzing formerly obscure or underdog candidates into front-runner status, including former President Jimmy Carter and Obama. And for students, it’s a unique opportunity to get involved and meet future presidents.
“Campaigns often rely very heavily on young voters,” political-science Associate Professor Tim Hagle said.
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