Why Are The Iowa Caucuses So Important?

First Voting State in the 2016 Presidential Election Cycle

Iowa is one of the few states that hold caucuses, and though only a small fraction of the country’s population lives and votes there, the Iowa caucuses play a large role in the nominating process.

By being one of the first states to vote in the presidential election, the Iowa Caucuses, as well as the New Hampshire Primaries will give the public an idea of which direction the election may be headed.

“Particularly in a race where there’s a lot of candidates, that first race can be where a lot of people start to drop off or drop out of the race,” said Dr. Alisa VonHagel, an assistant professor of political ccience at the University of Wisconsin Superior.

Minnesota also uses a caucus system, which requires community debate and participation; opposed to a primary, where community members show up to a polling place to cast a ballot for their candidate of choice. But the candidates are aware that the nation pays a disproportionate amount of attention to the Hawkeye state.

The Minnesota Caucuses will be held next month.