How the Iowa caucuses work and what the results mean for the 2024 election

The Iowa caucuses are on Jan. 15. Explore the impact of the results on the 2024 election and understand this early voting event's key role in shaping the presidential race.

On Monday evening, Iowa Republicans will head to schools and community centers to participate in their first-in-the-nation caucuses — the initial step in the GOP’s monthslong presidential nominating process.

The events will take place across 1,657 precincts in the state’s 99 counties.

Here’s a quick rundown of how the caucuses work and how Iowans will cast their ballots for their preferred GOP presidential candidates.

On Monday, Jan. 15, starting at 8 p.m. ET, which is 7 p.m. in Iowa.

Eligible voters must be at least 18 years old by Nov. 5, 2024, which is general election day. To participate in this GOP contest, caucusgoers must be registered with the Republican Party — but they don’t have to have been Republicans forever. Independents or Democrats who want to participate can re-register to do so, and polling suggests a number of Iowans are taking advantage of that option in the absence of competitive Democratic caucuses.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/iowa-caucuses-explained-2024-elections-rcna133550

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