Iowa Caucus
Iowa's presidential nominating contest, which historically was held first in the nation and used a caucus format rather than a standard primary ballot.
The Iowa caucuses were for decades the first major nominating contest of the presidential primary season, a position that gave them outsized influence on the race. Iowa used a caucus format in which participants gather at local precinct locations and publicly align with candidate preference groups.
Performing well in Iowa - or overperforming expectations - could provide a candidate with significant momentum heading into later contests, while underperforming could damage or end campaigns.
Following a chaotic 2020 Democratic caucus and subsequent party rule changes, Iowa's status as the mandatory first event has been contested. Whether Iowa will hold its traditional first caucus in 2028 depends on party decisions not yet finalized as of June 2026.
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A party-organized local meeting where voters publicly gather and express their presidential preference to allocate delegates.
The phrase describing the state or contest that holds its presidential primary or caucus before all others in a given election cycle.
New Hampshire's presidential primary, which has historically been the first primary election in the nation each presidential cycle.
A party representative selected during primaries or caucuses who votes for a presidential nominee at the national convention.