In just under a month, the U.S. state of Iowa will pick the very first delegates to choose the 2024 Republican presidential candidate. Why are the Iowa caucuses such a big deal?

Rather than holding a primary as most states do, Iowa Republicans will 'caucus.'

A caucus is a physical gathering where party members debate at venues across the state and vote on their preferred candidates.

The Iowa caucuses on January 15 will send 40 state delegates to the Republican National Convention in July. 

Iowa is traditionally the first state to pick convention delegates, and it can impact voter choices in other states. A party's presidential candidate is the person who wins support from a majority of delegates at the national convention.

Unlike the Republicans, Iowa's Democratic Party will hold its caucuses by mail.

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