The race for the White House officially begins on January 15, when internal party elections will begin in the Republican Party - caucuses in Iowa. Then voters in that state will choose the Republican presidential candidate, according to a process that is different this year compared to previous years.
Here are answers to some of the most important questions about the Iowa caucuses.
What are caucuses?
A political caucus is a gathering of people who have the same interest or goal. The Iowa caucuses are a series of local meetings across the state, where people gather to discuss politics and vote on who they would like to see as the party's presidential nominee in November. The caucuses are the first step in the months-long selection of delegates for the party's final convention in July of this year, which will have the final say in choosing the Republican candidates for president and vice president.
How are caucuses different from primaries?
The main difference between a caucus and a primary election is the time allotted for voting and the manner in which voting is done. In primary elections, voters come to a polling place and cast a ballot on election day, and those who are not there can vote by mail. The Iowa caucuses, on the other hand, are only held in the evening and voters must be in attendance for their vote to be counted. Caucuses are organized by a political party, and primary elections are usually organized by federal states.
Do both Democrats and Republicans have caucuses in Iowa this year?
And yes and no. Both the Democratic and Republican parties will hold caucuses in Iowa this year on January 15, but only one will have an effect on the presidential race. Democratic caucuses will be held only to formally begin the selection of delegates for the final convention in the summer. Unlike Republicans, Democrats will vote by mail for their candidates in Iowa, and those results won't be known until March.
For the Democrats, the caucuses will certainly not have an impact on the presidential race, because the current president, Joe Biden, has no serious opponents in the party, while for the Republicans, it will be different: the voters will show for the first time who their favorite is, and in relation to the number of votes - each candidate will receive a certain number of delegates for the final convention. A total of 40 delegates come from Iowa and that is only a small part (1,6 percent) of the total number of Republican delegates across the US.
But, because Iowa votes first, those who do well gain momentum, and those who do poorly have to "get out" of it in other states. In this way, a signal is also sent to voters in other countries.
How do Iowa Republican caucuses work?
There are two items on the agenda at the Republican caucuses: the selection of a presidential candidate and the selection of delegates for the final convention.
The presidential candidate will be voted at the polling station, with the small exception of those who are abroad and cannot vote on the spot. The candidates will give speeches before the vote.
Heads of polling stations at caucuses have the authority to determine how votes will be cast, but voting is generally secret and there is no list of candidates. Voters are given the opportunity to vote for the candidate of their choice. Candidates' names used to be printed and voters were offered options, but usually voters just write the name of whoever they want on a blank piece of paper.
The caucuses start at 7 in the evening and first the secretary and head of the polling station are elected. Only registered Republicans can participate in caucuses and only in their districts. But Iowa residents can register on voting day if they are 18 years old.
What will the Democratic caucuses be like?
Democrats in Iowa had to completely change the caucuses after the chaos of 2020 and the inability to clearly determine the winner of those caucuses.
This year, Iowa Democrats will hold caucuses on the same day as Republicans, but voting will be by mail. It starts on January 12th and will end on March 5th.
At the Jan. 15 caucuses, Democrats will choose delegates to the state convention in March, a step before choosing delegates to the Democratic National Convention in August in Chicago. Those delegates will be obliged to vote for the candidate chosen by the voters of that state.
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