SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KTIV) -
Back in January, the Republican Party of Iowa announced Mitt Romney had won the state's presidential caucus. Two weeks later, certified results showed Rick Santorum really won.
To avoid future confusion the state Republican party has made several new recommendations.
During a meeting at Western Iowa Tech, in Sioux City, on Monday, the 17-member committee adopted seven new suggestions. For example, the party will hold off on naming a winner when the margin of difference between the top two candidates is 1-percent, or less. The group also recommends shortening the two-week certification process to just 72 hours to get results out before the New Hampshire primary.
Caucus commission member David Fischer lobbied for swifter certification, which could happen on caucus night. Fischer says that could go a long way in making the caucus process more transparent. David Fischer, Iowa Caucus Review Committee said, "We can improve on transparency by making sure that the results of the vote, in a given precinct, on caucus night , are verified. They're checked by the people in the precinct on caucus night. There aren't paper forms, or things that happen after everybody goes home on caucus night . And the numbers can end up being reported different."
Fischer was the only "no" vote when a vote was taken to advance the recommendations the party's state central committee.
But, concerns didn't stop there. Linda Holub, who co-chairs the Woodbury County Republican Party, said the proposed 72-hour certification window doesn't allow her workers time to gather all of the needed paperwork, and submit it to the state party in Des Moines. Linda Holub, Woodbury County Republican Party Co-Chair said, "The other forms they're asking for are, who is the precinct chair? Who is the secretary? Do they have all of their names and identification information in there. And, if they don't we have to go call them and get it. That's what slows up the process."
Right now, nothing is set in stone. The caucus committee's recommendations go to the Republican Party of Iowa's state central committee. It will vote on them at a later date.
