The first test of the 2024 presidential election is scheduled for tomorrow, when Iowa Republicans gather in high school gymnasiums, community buildings and churches.
The caucuses, the first event on the party's primary calendar in the last half century, will provide an opening moment of truth for former President Donald Trump's comeback bid and could help Trump-weary Republicans decide which of their rivals support.
Here's what you need to know about the Iowa caucuses:
What is a caucus? Caucuses are not primaries. Primary elections are conducted like other American elections: at polling stations and by secret ballot, held throughout the day and normally also with absentee and early voting.
Caucuses are essentially meetings run by political parties, called at a specific time: 7 pm CT in Iowa. Since this is not a traditional election, a candidate's performance in Iowa is often considered a test of organizational strength. of his campaign.
How are votes cast in a caucus? For Republicans, candidate surrogates give final presentations after the caucuses begin and then paper ballots are distributed to caucus attendees. They are counted on site and the results are shared with the party.
Does the winner in Iowa usually win the White House? In an open year, when there is no incumbent running for a party's nomination, Iowa has a spotty record in electing the president, particularly for Republicans. Only one Republican, George W. Bush, in 2000, won a disputed Iowa showdown and went on to win the White House. On the Democratic side, Barack Obama won the Iowa caucuses in 2008 and went on to win the White House. Jimmy Carter was the leading Democrat in 1976, but he came in second behind a list of “uncommitted” delegates. Still, the momentum propelled him to the party nomination and, eventually, the White House.
Read more about the Iowa caucuses here.
