DAVENPORT, Iowa — Caucus season has returned to Iowa, where the state's political parties hold meetings to decide their preferred presidential candidates.
For new voters or anyone needing a refresher, a caucus is a gathering of members of a political party where they select their top choice in the 2024 presidential election. These races are held by the Iowa GOP and Democratic parties, not the state.
While Trump is expected to win the Republican vote in this first caucus of the year, a strong showing by candidates Ron DeSantis or Nikki Haley could help them throughout the primaries.
Here's how each party's caucus works and how you can cast your vote:
Iowa Republican Caucus
The Iowa GOP will begin its caucuses at 7 p.m. on Jan. 15 at precinct locations in each of the state's 99 counties. Local representatives will make speeches on behalf of their favored candidates, and then allow voters to cast their ballots. Mail-in voting is not available in Republican caucuses.
A valid form of ID is required to vote. This includes:
- Iowa Voter Identification Card
- Iowa Driver’s License
- Iowa Non-Operator ID
- U.S. Military ID or Veteran ID
- U.S. Passport
- Tribal ID Card/Document
To register to vote on caucus night, bring an ID and proof of address, including:
- Residential lease
- Utility bill
- Bank statement
- Paycheck
- Government check
- Property tax statement
- Government document
To check if you're registered to vote in Iowa, visit the Secretary of State's website. Register to vote online here. Find out which precinct you're in here, and find Republican caucus location for your precinct here.
Iowa Democratic Caucus
The Iowa Democratic caucus will consist of two parts — the first will be in-person precinct caucuses on Jan. 15, and the second will be a mail-in expression of presidential preference through Feb. 19.
In-person caucuses will not be used to select a presidential candidate. Instead, Democrats will conduct party business such as:
- Electing unbound delegates and alternate delegates to county conventions
- Electing county central committee members
- Discussing platform resolutions to be shared at county conventions
Only registered Iowa Democrats who are eligible to vote in the Nov. 5 election may participate in these caucuses. To check if you're registered to vote in Iowa, visit the Secretary of State's website. Register to vote online here. Find out which precinct you're in here, and find the Democratic caucus location for your precinct here.
If you have accommodation requests for your in-person caucus, email this form to accommodations@iowademocrats.org by Jan. 2, or make your request verbally to Bob Ward at (515) 779-0314.
Iowa Democrats will use mail-in and online presidential preference cards to allow party members to cast their votes. You must request a card online here or mail a card request to the Iowa Democratic Party at 5661 Fleur Drive Des Moines, Iowa 50321 after printing the form found here.
The window for expressing presidential preference begins Jan. 12. Cards will be mailed to party members who requested them. Feb. 19 is the last day to request a card. Results from the cards will be released on March 5.
If you need assistance with completing your presidential preference card, email accommodations@iowademocrats.org or call the Iowa Democrats helpline at (515) 216-3893.