Get the Facts: Understanding the Iowa caucus

The Iowa caucus will be the first big test for Republican presidential hopefuls, but it's not exactly your typical election day. Let's get the facts on the Iowa caucus. Generally on caucus night, voters based on their party meet up at locations all across the state. They're *** representative for each candidate can give *** speech, then voters pick who they want to be the nominee. This is where each party does things *** little bit differently. Republicans cast *** secret ballot after those speeches and whoever gets the most votes wins. But here's how it differs from *** primary with *** caucus. You have to show up at *** set time in person to participate with just *** few exceptions. Now, for Iowa Democrats, things are gonna look *** lot different this election cycle after the national party shook up the nominating calendar. So instead of doing *** physical caucus, like they normally do, they're moving to an entirely mail in system. So voters have until March 5th to return what they're calling presidential preference cards. Basically *** ballot. So we're not gonna have results for Democrats for quite *** while. Democrats will still meet on January 15th. But only to conduct other party business now because Iowa goes first, *** strong finish here can really boost *** campaign. Political analysts often point to both Obama's 2008 win and Trump's 2016 2nd place finish as examples of that. But in the end, Iowa's delegates only count for about 1% of the overall party delegates. So even with the win in Iowa, *** candidate still has *** long way to go to clinch the party's nomination for president, helping you get the facts. I'm Jackie Defusco.

For months, presidential candidates have converged on Iowa, the state traditionally known for holding the first presidential nominating contest. This year's caucus is Jan. 15. The Iowa Caucus serves as the first significant test for Republican presidential hopefuls. However, it's not your typical election day.One of the first things to note is that you have to be registered as a Republican to take part in the Republican caucus, or a registered Democrat to participate in the Democratic caucus. This is because the caucuses are run by the political parties, not the state.On caucus night, voters, based on their party, meet up at locations across the state. A representative for each candidate can give a speech, and then the voters pick who they want to be the nominee. The process varies slightly between parties. Republicans cast a secret ballot after the speeches. In most cases, these "ballots" are just a blank piece of paper, and caucus-goers fill in any name they want. Whoever gets the most votes wins. However, a caucus differs from a primary in that you have to show up at a set time, in person, to participate, with just a few exceptions. For Iowa Democrats, things will look a lot different this election cycle after the national party shook up the nominating calendar. Instead of doing a physical caucus, they're moving to an entirely mail-in system. Voters have until March 5 to return those "presidential preference cards," essentially a ballot. As a result, we won't know the results for the Democratic caucus for quite some time. Democrats will meet on Jan. 15, but only to conduct other party business.Iowa's early position in the election cycle can significantly impact a campaign. Political analysts point to both Obama's 2008 win and Trump's 2016 2nd place finish as examples. However, Iowa's delegates only count for about 1% of the overall party delegates. So even with a win in Iowa, a candidate has a long way to go to clinch the party's nomination for president.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

For months, presidential candidates have converged on Iowa, the state traditionally known for holding the first presidential nominating contest. This year's caucus is Jan. 15.

The Iowa Caucus serves as the first significant test for Republican presidential hopefuls. However, it's not your typical election day.

One of the first things to note is that you have to be registered as a Republican to take part in the Republican caucus, or a registered Democrat to participate in the Democratic caucus. This is because the caucuses are run by the political parties, not the state.

On caucus night, voters, based on their party, meet up at locations across the state. A representative for each candidate can give a speech, and then the voters pick who they want to be the nominee.

The process varies slightly between parties. Republicans cast a secret ballot after the speeches. In most cases, these "ballots" are just a blank piece of paper, and caucus-goers fill in any name they want. Whoever gets the most votes wins.

However, a caucus differs from a primary in that you have to show up at a set time, in person, to participate, with just a few exceptions.

For Iowa Democrats, things will look a lot different this election cycle after the national party shook up the nominating calendar. Instead of doing a physical caucus, they're moving to an entirely mail-in system. Voters have until March 5 to return those "presidential preference cards," essentially a ballot. As a result, we won't know the results for the Democratic caucus for quite some time. Democrats will meet on Jan. 15, but only to conduct other party business.

Iowa's early position in the election cycle can significantly impact a campaign. Political analysts point to both Obama's 2008 win and Trump's 2016 2nd place finish as examples. However, Iowa's delegates only count for about 1% of the overall party delegates. So even with a win in Iowa, a candidate has a long way to go to clinch the party's nomination for president.

Get the Facts: Understanding the Iowa caucus

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