Iowa caucuses

The Iowa caucuses are early state events where members of the Democratic and Republican parties gather to express their preference for a presidential candidate. Instead of casting ballots like in a primary, participants meet in local caucus sites to discuss, debate, and then physically divide into groups supporting different candidates. The size of each group helps determine how many delegates each candidate receives toward their party's national convention. Iowa's caucuses are significant because they are the first major contest in the presidential nomination process, helping to gauge early support and momentum for candidates.