The Iowa Caucus

1. In addition to a regular caucus, they wanted to add a virtual caucus. This would be operated over a phone system.
2. The DNC rejected the idea because they were afraid using phones would make the system accessible to hackers. Questions over security and reliability prevented the DNC from supporting a virtual caucus.
3. The idea of a virtual caucus was a response to complaints that Iowa caucus was not accessible to people who could not show up in person. It was proposed as a way to be more available to the people.
4. As David Redlawsk put it, Iowa is very influential in which candidate is definitely not going to be elected. It is important that Iowa, as the first state to vote in the primary, is the first to contest because the first caucus sets the tone for the rest of candidates, showing who has momentum and who does not. 
5. Caucuses are controversial as a nomination process because they are very long and tedious and do not compensate for people with disabilities, elderly people, and others who are simply not available due to other commitments like children. 
6. With increasing voter turnout, accessibility it becoming a more prominent problem, highlighting a primary problem with caucuses. Although many caucus states have switched to primaries, Iowa and Nevada still have not, which is why it continues to be a problem.
7. The DNC is worried about hacking because they tested the system at their Rules and Bylaws Committee meeting and were easily able to manipulate the tele-conference system.
8. Remaining a caucus is the only way Iowa can still be the first in the nation, ahead of New Hampshire, who is the first primary in the nation. If Iowa switched to being a primary, New Hampshire would be able to jump before them.
9. New Hampshire relies on a certain law that says if any state moves their primary before New Hampshire, New Hampshire Secretary of State can move their primary date to before that state.