How does the Iowa caucus vote work?

A caucus is a meeting or grouping of supporters or members of a specific political party or movement. The exact definition varies between different countries and political cultures.

How does the Iowa caucus vote work?

Candidates receive the number of delegates equal to their share of the statewide vote. For example, Ted Cruz’s 28% showing in the 2016 Iowa GOP caucuses translated to eight delegates, compared to seven each for Donald Trump’s 24% and Marco Rubio’s 23%, with the other candidates dividing the rest.

It’s important to remember that Democrats and Republicans conduct their caucuses in two very different ways. Republicans select their candidate via a simple secret ballot vote — unlike the Democratic shuffling from one corner of a caucus site to the other.

Caucusgoers will arrive before 7 p.m. CT and check in. After that, they’ll take care of some procedural measures, like electing precinct chairs and precinct secretaries. The new chairs will then invite presidential candidates’ supporters to address the room.