Iowa Caucuses: First Election Of 2024 Is Tonight—Here’s What To Know

Topline Americans will vote for the first time in the 2024 election Monday in the Iowa caucuses, which will help determine the Republican presidential nominee, with former President Donald Trump widely expected to cement his frontrunner status while Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov.

Nikki Haley fight for second place—and sub zero temperatures could dampen turnout. Former President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a rally at Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa, on ... [+] Jan. 14. Key Facts When will the caucuses take place? The caucuses will begin at precincts across Iowa at 7:00 p.m.

Central time, with election results expected likely a few hours later. How do caucuses work? Voters must turn up in person to the precinct on Monday night—no remote or mail in votes are allowed—where they’ll cast a secret ballot after supporters deliver speeches advocating for each candidate. Who’s expected to win? Trump is widely considered the favorite in the Iowa race—after coming in second place there in 2016—as 48% of likely caucusgoers prefer him, according to a Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom poll conducted Jan.

7 12. Who will come in second place? Polls have shown DeSantis in second place in much of the leadup to Iowa, but Haley has narrowly overtaken him in the final days of the race with 20% support to the Florida governor’s 16%, according to a Register/NBC/Mediacom poll. Polls show tech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy in a distant fourth place, with 8% of the vote.

What will the weather be like? Frigid temperatures threaten to affect turnout, as the National Weather Service has issued a warning for “life threatening wind chills” in Des Moines through Tuesday, with temperatures Monday night projected to be as low as 10 degrees Fahrenheit and wind chill temperatures reaching 30 degrees.

What To Watch For Iowa will kick off what will be a busy schedule of 2024 Republican primary elections, with New Hampshire’s primary election up next on Jan. 23, followed by the Nevada caucus on Feb. 8, South Carolina’s primary on Feb. 24, and elections in Michigan, Idaho, Missouri, Washington, D.C.

and North Dakota all following before 15 states vote in Super Tuesday elections on March 5. Elections will continue through June, before the GOP convention takes place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from July 15 18. Big Number 186,932. That’s the number of Iowa Republicans who participated in the state’s 2016 GOP caucus, according to the Register , which marked an attendance record for the Republican caucus.

Tangent Democrats in Iowa will caucus on Monday as well, but only to handle official party business and elect lower county positions. For the presidential election, Iowa Democrats will instead cast a ballot for their preferred candidate by mail; those results won’t be released until March 5. President Joe Biden is facing longshot challenges from Rep.

Dean Phillips (Minn.) and author Marianne Williamson, but is widely expected to win the Democratic nomination. Surprising Fact Trump told supporters Sunday that they should turn out for him on Monday even if they’re too ill to do so. “If you’re sick as a dog, you say, ‘Darling, I gotta make it,’” Trump said at a campaign rally.

“Even if you vote and then pass away, it’s worth it.” Key Background Monday’s Iowa caucuses follow a leadup to the 2024 primary season that’s been primarily dominated by Trump, as the former president has continued to command the news cycle and the polls—even after being indicted four times and declining to attend any presidential primary debates.

His rivals have battled it out for second place as they’ve tried to make a case for why they’re the best equipped candidate to take on Trump and then Biden in a general election. While DeSantis was widely considered to be Trump’s biggest rival when the campaign season kicked off, the Florida governor has seen his support largely stagnate while Ramaswamy , and then ultimately Haley , have instead recorded bumps in the polls.

Several other GOP candidates have already dropped out of the race even before the Iowa caucuses, including most recently former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who suspended his campaign on Jan. 10. Those candidates dropping out and DeSantis’ falling support have benefited Haley, who’s also risen in the polls amid a string of strong debate performances and support from billionaires , including Charles Koch backed super PAC Americans for Prosperity Action , LinkedIn co founder Reid Hoffman and JPMorgan Chase leader Jamie Dimon .

Further Reading The Net Worth Of Every 2024 Presidential Candidate (Forbes) Nikki Haley Within Single Digits Of Trump In New Hampshire, Latest Poll Shows (Forbes) These Are The New Billionaire Backers Throwing Their Weight Behind Nikki Haley (Forbes) Why The Iowa Caucus 'Matters' For Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, And Nikki Haley: Des Moines Reporter (Forbes).