Caucus
A party-organized local meeting where voters publicly gather and express their presidential preference to allocate delegates.
A caucus is a meeting of party members in a local precinct or county where participants physically group themselves by candidate preference rather than casting a secret ballot. Supporters of each candidate try to persuade undecided attendees to join their group.
Caucuses are organized and run by the political parties themselves, not state governments. They tend to attract more politically engaged voters and require a greater time commitment than a standard primary.
After participants align by candidate, delegates are awarded to candidates who meet a minimum viability threshold - often 15 percent. Candidates who fall below the threshold are eliminated and their supporters must realign with another group.
The Iowa caucuses historically served as the first nominating contest of the cycle, but that status has been subject to party rules changes and is not guaranteed for 2028.
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A state-run election in which voters choose their party's nominee for president by selecting among competing candidates.
Iowa's presidential nominating contest, which historically was held first in the nation and used a caucus format rather than a standard primary ballot.
A party representative selected during primaries or caucuses who votes for a presidential nominee at the national convention.
The phrase describing the state or contest that holds its presidential primary or caucus before all others in a given election cycle.