Des Moines precincts: Expect light GOP turnout

Add comment January 2nd, 2008

Don’t expect too many Republicans to vote, but you never know. At least that’s the word from Republican leaders in the Des Moines precincts — 87th, 88th and 93rd — that I plan to cover on Thursday.

So few Republicans are anticipated, in fact, that all three precincts will caucus in the Wright Elementary School near the Des Moines airport, albeit in different rooms.

“They don’t seem to be that activated here,” Charlyn Smith, GOP caucus leader in the 88th precinct, told me. “I’m sorry to say that most people are Democrats over here in this area.”

Then again, Audrey Hanson, the Republican caucus leader in the 93rd, said she heard from several Republicans who were interested in voting but had not previously been involved. She said the Republican caucus in the precinct has never been particularly well attended.

“It’s a Democratic area of town,” she said.

The caucus leaders are officially temporary until caucus time, at which point caucus goers vote on official chairmen.