How to Caucus
While the Republican caucuses remains the same, the Democratic caucuses are now an administrative meeting for Democrat officials, and caucusgoers will mail in their picks for the Democratic presidential nominee.
Republicans
What happens?: The location where you can caucus, which is normally in a public school or center, will be released a few weeks before Jan. 15 — caucus day. At your location, a “straw poll” will be conducted, and caucusgoers will write down their preferred Republican nominee on a piece of paper and hand it to an official, and the ballots are counted. Once the ballots are tallied up, party leadership will report it to the Republican Party of Iowa to compile the state results.
When: Jan. 15, 2024
What do I need?: You need to be a registered Republican to caucus. You can register day-of or online at the caucus. Bring an ID to register, according to the website.
Democrats
What happens?: The Democratic caucuses this year are all mail-in. Iowa Democrats can cast their presidential nominee by mail. To request a “Presidential Preference Card,” according to the party’s website, fill out the online form or printed form and return it in the mail. The last day to request a card is Feb. 19, 2024, and the cards will be mailed out starting Jan. 12, 2024.
When: Now until card requests are closed Feb. 19, 2024
What do I need?: You need to be a registered Democrat to caucus. You can register online by Feb. 19, 2024, to participate.
