Context:

  • Republicans in IOWA will be the first to vote for their presidential candidate in the 2024 elections when they attend public gatherings which is also known as CAUCUS.

Working mechanism of Caucuses:

  • Caucuses and primaries are the processes which are available to the 50 American states (plus Washington DC and outlying territories) to choose the two major parties’ nominees for President.
  • In primaries, voters go to polling stations and check the box against the name of their favoured candidate.
  • Caucuses are lengthier processes in which voters attend meetings at public places such as school gymnasiums, churches, and community centres, debate candidate preferences.
  • In caucuses the voting is done by openly raising their hands for their choice.
  • The caucus system favours candidates with strong, active bases over those with broader support and is often criticised for being vulnerable to intimidation, and inconvenient for employees who work in shifts and parents who might find it difficult to attend an in-person meeting of unpredictable length.