What’s a Caucus? Why Iowa?

Because for years no one much cared. Iowa has been holding some form of caucuses since the early 1800s. (The word caucus is American Indian in origin, referring to a gathering of tribal chiefs). After McGovern’s surprise showing, another long-shot candidate, Jimmy Carter, used the 1976 Iowa caucuses as a springboard to the White House. Other candidates began coming to Iowa seeking a similar breakthrough.

• What is a Caucus?

It’s a gathering of voters at the precinct level. There are 1,781 precincts in Iowa’s 99 counties. A caucus can be held in a community center, at a fire station, a library conference room, or somebody’s living room.

• Who gets to participate?

Anyone who will be 18 years old by November 4, the date of the general election. The two major parties are fairly flexible in their rules. There is no entry fee.

• How does a caucus work?

The two parties conduct their caucuses differently. Republicans operate in a fairly straightforward fashion. Participants vote by writing their candidate’s name on a blank sheet of paper, or sometimes by a show of hands. Shorthand or nicknames — “Huck” for ex-Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, or “Rudy” for former New York City Mayor Rudolph W Giuliani — will be counted. Democrats have a much more complicated system. Participants break into groups based on their preference. If a candidate fails to reach the “viability” threshold — at least 15 percent of the vote — he or she is eliminated. Supporters of eliminated candidates can fall in with another candidate or go home. The voting is done in the open, and debate and persuasion are very much a part of the process.

• So that’s how Iowa awards its delegates to the presidential nominating conventions?

Actually, no. The caucuses elect delegates to county conventions in March, the first step in a process that will end with the selection of Iowa’s national delegates in June. By then, no one is paying much attention.

• How are the caucus results used in picking delegates to county conventions?

For Democrats, delegates are allocated through a mathematical formula involving how the precinct performed for Democrats in 2004 and 2006. At each caucus, it is possible for more than one candidate to walk away with a share of delegates. On the Republican side, the caucuses are simply a presidential preference vote. Delegates are awarded in a separate process.

• An Iowa victory must pretty much ensure a candidate will win the nomination?

Not necessarily. George HW Bush and Bill Clinton both finished third in Iowa en route to winning the White House. Republican Robert Dole and Democrat Richard A Gephardt won their respective caucuses in 1988 and failed to win their party’s nominations.

• So whoever gets the most votes wins?

Not necessarily. In 1976, Carter actually finished behind “undecided.” But since he came from seemingly nowhere, it was seen as a huge accomplishment. Walter Mondale beat Gary Hart 49 percent to 17 percent in 1984, but because Hart did better than anticipated he was showered with favorable news coverage that helped propel him to an upset win in New Hampshire. So there is plenty of room for interpretation.