Iowa GOP Chair Says It Will Take Longer to Declare Straw Poll Winner

Republicans may take longer than usual to announce the winner of Saturday's Straw Poll because write-ins will be allowed on the ballot for the first time, Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn said during a press conference.

Casey Mills, Iowa Straw Poll spokesman, said party leaders are shooting to have results by 6 p.m., but Strawn said that may be delayed dependingon the number of write-ins. Voting ends at 4 p.m.

Nine candidates -- U.S. Rep. Michelle Bachmann, of Minnesota, Herman Cain, of Georgia, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman, U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, of Michigan, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty; U.S. Rep. Ron Paul, of Texas; Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum -- are on the ballot.

Iowans' ability to pick the candidate who will go on to secure the presidential nomination has long been questioned, and other states have jockeyed to become first. Strawn, though, said the Iowa Straw Poll is still as important as ever. The fact that Republican National Chairman Reince Priebus and Co-Chair Sharon Day will attend the Iowa Fox News GOP debate Thursday proves that, Strawn said.

“It sends a strong signal to those other states that are out of compliance on the caucus calendar that the RNC means business,” Strawn said.

Iowa's caucus takes place in February but the outcome of the Straw Poll is a good initial test, he said.

People who are willing to take a bus to Ames in August are the same people who will go to their precinct on a cold winter night, Strawn said.

Candidates' presence at the Straw Poll is equally important, he said.

Strawn said he knows of many people who remain undecided until hearing candidates' speeches at the Straw Poll.