O'Malley unlikely to win Iowa delegates

DES MOINES, Iowa, Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Single-digit polling for Democratic presidential hopeful Martin O'Malley may cost him Iowa delegates before caucus votes are even cast.

Nine weeks out, the former Maryland governor may be short on the support he needs to garner even one delegate in Iowa. The Feb. 1 caucus requires a certain threshold of support for candidates before votes can be cast.

The Iowa Democratic caucus is unlike any other primary. Candidates must have the support of at least 15 percent of the people present at the caucus in most precincts. The Boston Globe reports that percentage is higher in smaller precincts. If O'Malley fails to garner as much, participants who support O'Malley will either have to leave or vote for someone else.

The Iowa Republican caucus is simpler. Participants cast paper ballots, and the final tally determines how many delegates each candidate receives. The system is more forgiving to candidates who receive as little as 1 percent of the vote.

O'Malley polls at 4 percent in Iowa, according to the latest numbers by Real Clear Politics. He lags significantly behind his Democratic competitors, with Hillary Clinton leading the field at 52 percent, and Sen. Bernie Sanders close behind at 41 percent.