Virginia Hernandez

Updated Monday,15January2024-18:13

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Neither the Republican Party nor the Democratic Party in the United States directly elects their presidential candidate, as is the case in most democracies. The names of the contenders who will fight for the White House on November 5 are decided in caucuses or primaries, depending on the state where they are held. This process lasts from January (starts tonight) to June.

This Monday the Republican Party has the first of these appointments: the Iowa caucuses, in the plural and not in the singular because they are different assemblies of neighbors. Participants gather in 1,500 schools, churches and community centers to publicly debate their options for hours before casting their votes.

What is the difference between primaries and caucuses?

The way primaries work is the same as most elections: voters drop off their ballots at the polling place on the appointed day or do so by mail beforehand. Not so in caucuses. Voters must come in person at a specific location and time and must discuss their options publicly.

Apparently, the word originates from a language of an Indian nation, the Algonquins, and would mean something like "gathering of chiefs of tribes." States that held caucuses decided to switch to the primary system because of the greater flexibility it provides. This is not the case in Iowa, which prefers to continue with this system.

In the case of the first caucus of the year, which the Republican Party debuts almost 11 months before the presidential elections are held, the favorite is Donald Trump, well ahead of his rivals, Nikki Haley, former ambassador to the United Nations, and Ron DeSantis, the governor of Florida. Voters are challenged by having to go to their polling place in person in the coldest temperatures in the history of this caucus: between -20 and -30 degrees.

Why doesn't the Democratic Party start with Iowa this year?

The Democratic Party has broken the tradition of starting its primaries in the same state as the Republicans this year because it prefers a more comfortable victory for the current president, Joe Biden. Hence, he chose South Carolina, a more moderate state than Iowa and with greater racial diversity. This event will take place on February 3rd. Iowa Democrats will name their candidate on Super Tuesday on March 5, the day on which the largest number of delegates are known.

What is really up for grabs in caucuses and primaries?

Voters, who must turn 18 before the November election, decide how many delegates will support each party's candidates. Subsequently, it will be these delegates who will go to their party's national convention in July to support their pre-candidate.

Whoever has the majority will win the convention and represent their party in the November elections. In the case of the Iowa Republican caucus, it provides a total of 40 delegates that will be distributed proportionally among the three pre-candidates.

Why is this caucus so important?

Because it is the start of the race for the White House already in an election year. It's more symbolic than anything else. Iowa has never been an indicator of the Republican candidate's name. None of the last three Republican winners of these caucuses managed to clinch the nomination.

That's because it sends fewer delegates to the national convention than larger states like Texas or Florida, and the state's mainstream evangelical community tends to favor the more socially conservative candidate. This year, something else is expected: the favorite is Donald Trump both in this state and for the national convention.

What are the next appointments for Republicans?

The Republicans' next appointments will be in New Hampshire (Jan. 23), Nevada (Feb. 8) and South Carolina (Feb. 24).