Voters gather to watch results from Iowa caucuses unfold; results delayed due to “quality checks”
DES MOINES, Ia. – While supporters of Pete Buttigieg joined the former South Bend Mayor at a watch party Monday night, the results from the Iowa caucuses were delayed due to “quality checks.”
Many caucus-goers who came out to show their support for Buttigieg said that they have high hopes for the Former Mayor. There was watch party held at Drake University where caucusing took place.
ABC57’s Tiffany Salameh spoke to Martin Redmond, one of Mayor Buttigieg’s supporters, who said that he is optimistic about the outcome.
Tiffany: “What was the energy like in there?”
Martin: “Pretty good. We had a good support group for Pete. We took several pictures over there, good energy.”
Tiffany: “How are you feeling about the results tonight?”
Martin: “You know I think it’s going to be one of those surprises where he can move up.”
There was indeed plenty of energy and enthusiasm Monday night in Des Moines, but there was also confusion and inconsistencies.
Although caucusing had already been underway for several hours, the Iowa Democratic Party said there were delays in determining the results due to “quality checks.”
At 10 p.m., Iowa Democratic Party Communications Director Mandy McClure released a statement on the progress of the caucuses, saying “around 25%” of the state’s 1,765 precincts and “and early data indicates turnout is on pace for 2016.”
McClure went on to say that the Democratic Party was reporting three sets of data for the first time, adding that the delays were caused by glitches in an app used for reporting caucus results.
Former Mayor Buttigieg seemingly declared victory around midnight, but the official results from the caucuses had yet to be announced.
Iowa, you have shocked the nation.
— Pete Buttigieg (@PeteButtigieg) February 4, 2020
By all indications, we are going on to New Hampshire victorious. #IowaCaucuses
Although the inconsistencies were causing headaches for candidates and voters alike, another uncertainty heading into the Iowa caucuses was the question of "who would win in Iowa"?
Political experts have viewed the 2020 Democratic presidential candidacy as a competition between centrists and democratic socialists — i.e., a litmus test of where the party stands ideologically.
In conjunction with the caucus results for the Democratic Party, the Republican caucus results projected President Donald Trump to win resoundingly. President Trump received over 97% of the vote at 92% of the precincts reporting (via Des Moines Register).