Improvements Could Be Made For Future Caucus Nights Say Johnston Residents

It's clear to Johnston residents that the Iowa Caucus procedures could use improvements, but that doesn't mean the first-in-the-nation Caucus should be discounted.

"There's no doubt about that, we can do better and we will," said Andy Christenson of Johnston. "This brought out an enormous amount of voters this year."

The count released by the Republican Party of Iowa Thursday places Rick Santorum in front of Mitt Romney, who was originally declared the winner. However, there were irregularities in 131 of the 1,774 precinct tallies, and missing ballots in eight precincts weren't counted, according to state party officials.

So who's to blame for problems in the caucus process?

Christenson, who served as captain for Johnston Precinct 1, reminds Iowans that precinct workers are volunteers.

"We had a few problems," he said. "The registration lists weren't as accurate as they could have been, but they are going to get that straight."

A few issues surrounded the and the number of late registrations, Christenson said.

Johnston Precinct 1 brought in more volunteers this year, but it still wasn't enough for the crowd of voters.

Christenson said the directions on reporting voter totals was clear. It was this step in the process that eight precincts did not complete, meaning their votes were not counted in the certified election results.

"We have no idea of the ability of people running things, even the mere fact did they get it (the official form) to headquarters?" he said. "I hand-carried my stuff down."

Earlier today, Patch reported the Iowa GOP has identified the eight precincts that will not be counted in the 2012 Iowa Caucus because the election volunteers there did not certify their votes. All questions on how the certification process broke down have been referred to those precinct leaders.

Because of this, Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn told a small group of reporters Thursday that he cannot declare a definitive winner of the Jan. 3 Iowa Caucuses.

But does the change in winner from caucus night totals to certified totals mean anything to the election?

State Rep. Erik Helland (R-Johnston) doesn't think so.

"I don't think in the grand scheme this changes anything unless Romney tumbles and those delegates become crucial," Helland said. "The bottom line they both won big that night. They both won Iowa and they both beat expectations."

To those in the national media that might be giving Iowa a hard time, Helland doesn't take much stock in it.

"Everybody that beats up on Iowa typically hasn't been involved in the Iowa caucus," he said. "This highlights that it is a pure grassroots, party-driven event that helps launch the candidacy for a president."