Hey News-Changers! So I have a confession to make: sometimes keeping up with the news feels a little overwhelming -- especially when it comes to political elections. There’s just a lot to understand about the different candidates, their policies, the election process, etc... I’m sure y’all can relate.

My hope is that The Breakdown can help ease those anxieties even a little bit. That’s why today’s One Big Thing is breaking down what you need to know ahead of the Iowa caucuses (like what the heck a caucus even is).

Besides that, keep scrolling to hear what the BTS ARMY is doing about mental health, how students at one Colorado school rallied behind their classmate, and why Amazon employees are purposefully defying company policy.

- Jackie, DoSomething.org

The Iowa Caucuses Are Next Monday. Here’s What You Need to Know As 2020 Elections Kick Off.

What’s the Point of a Primary or Caucus?

The short answer is it’s for choosing a presidential nominee. The long answer is a little more complicated.

Technically, primaries and caucuses elect delegates, and those delegates then attend the national conventions to actually elect a party’s presidential nominee.

Wait, What’s That About Delegates?

Delegates are chosen with the understanding that they’ll support a particular candidate. In some states, delegates are legally bound to a candidate based on their state’s vote, and in some states they just aren’t, but historically, they don’t usually go against voters.

Most states split their delegates proportionally (so a candidate who wins 40% of a state’s vote will get 40% of their delegates), but some have a winner-take-all system where the top-polling candidate will get all the delegates.

Oh yeah, and there are also unelected superdelegates who can vote for whoever they want (though they also usually go with the popular vote). These spots are reserved for members of the national committees, certain legislators, and other party leaders.

What’s the Difference Between a Primary and Caucus?

In a primary, voters cast secret ballots, similar to a general election.

In a caucus, voters come together in local assemblies and discuss the candidates in-person before eventually voting (sometimes publicly).

What’s So Special About the Iowa Caucuses?

The caucuses held throughout Iowa on Feb. 3 will be the first time that voters get to formally weigh in on the presidential candidates. They set a precedent for the rest of the country, and usually tighten up the race to just the frontrunners.

Take Action: Election season is about to ramp up. Take 2 minutes to make sure you’re registered to vote!

The BTS ARMY is Helping K-Pop Fans Access Mental Health Services

BTS ARMY Help Center is partnering with Crisis Text Line to connect fans with mental health support.

Originally just a Twitter account, BTS ARMY Help Center is a volunteer organization that supports fans struggling with their mental health. The group was “inspired by BTS’ messages of self-love and radical kindness.” They post reminders and tips about self-care, anxiety, heartbreak, and more.

Now, they’re helping direct fans to Crisis Text Line, a 24/7 text-based hotline that provides support for those in crisis.

While this is all fan-powered, members of BTS have spoken up about their own experiences navigating mental health -- a departure from the stigma that still exists within the K-pop community.

Take Action: Help normalize conversations about mental health and seeking support. Spread the word about Crisis Text Line to let people know they’re not alone.

Students Responded to An Anonymous Cry for Help With Dozens of Supportive Notes

A message scribbled on the wall of a Colorado high school bathroom asked, “Is life worth all the B.S.?” After seeing the message, an English teacher at Golden High School called on students to respond, and they showed up in force.

Students posted over 50 messages of support on the bathroom wall. Here are a few:

“You are so loved by so many people, even strangers.”

“You will find love in your future...in yourself...in life.”

“Things DO get better.”

The notes have sparked a conversation about mental health among students, and they’re being moved into the hallway to open it up even further. Meanwhile, students are finding ways to support one another in the classroom, on social media, and beyond.

Take Action: Make someone’s day a little brighter by posting encouraging notes in your school bathroom.

“Amazon employees are hired for our ability to have backbone, to speak up when we hear something wrong. Now...Amazon wants to silence us for speaking out.” - Amazon Employees for Climate Justice, in a defiant video criticizing the way company policy
restricts employee activism.

Why aren’t more people talking about… how doctors in South Dakota could face criminal charges for providing healthcare to transgender teens?

Meanwhile, in Hong Kong… Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced plans to shut down travel between Hong Kong and mainland China amid the coronavirus outbreak.

My hero today is… 19-year-old Hunter Wart, who raised money to install a safe baby drop-off box in his community (and a year later, a newborn was found inside!).

Today in viral cuteness… this dog hitting the woah.

I’m obsessed with… how that dog can hit the woah.

(No but actually, I’m pretty obsessed with rewatching the show Scrubs right now. People are always sleeping on it, but my Hot Take is that it’s better than Friends as far as early 2000s TV goes.)

What Do You Think About Today’s One Big Thing?

We tried something a little different this week with our explainer ahead of the Iowa caucuses. Let us know what you think about explainers in The Breakdown with this quick survey.