Taking an early but minor victory, Bernie Sanders has won the first satellite caucus Monday morning in Ottumwa, in Southeast Iowa.
There were 15 caucus goers in attendance, 14 of whom caucused for Sanders. The remaining attendee caucused for Elizabeth Warren, who was not viable at this caucus, having not reached a 15 percent viability threshold. Warren’s caucus goer declined to realign with Sanders.
The caucus, held at the UFCW Local 230 union hall, is the first of 87 satellite caucuses to be held today, designed to expand participation among voters who would not otherwise be able to attend an evening precinct caucus.
Speaking to Iowa Starting Line, precinct chair Flank Flanders said he applied for the satellite caucus so shift workers could caucus.
“I applied for this because I wanted to get people who work second shift a chance to participate in the Democratic process,” Flanders said. “I feel it is voter suppression that the caucuses are held at such a time that second shift workers can’t attend.”
