Skip to content

Get Started: Iowa

Start by January of even-numbered years

Action 1. Choose Your Team (January)

  • Iowa allows open caucus participation. you do not need to be registered with a party, but you must choose which party to participate in.
  • Your choice determines which party's caucus you attend.
  • Contact your state or county party to get on early communication lists.

Iowa Democratic Party

Republican Party of Iowa

Action 2. Confirm Caucus Date and Time (January, even years)

Iowa holds party caucuses early in presidential election years.
Both parties announce caucus dates separately.

Democratic Party (2024): Mail-in presidential preference cards began January 12, 2024.

Republican Party (2024): In-person precinct caucuses held January 15, 2024.

Future caucus dates published by Iowa Secretary of State and party websites:

Action 3. Find Your Party Caucus or Participation Method (January, even years)

Democratic Party:

  • Request presidential preference card by mail.
  • Confirm submission deadlines and method with Iowa Democrats.

Republican Party:

  • Attend assigned precinct caucus location.
  • County GOP offices provide caucus location lists.
  • Verify local caucus site through https://iowagop.org/.

Action 4. Plan to Participate (January, even years)

Democratic Party:

  • Plan to get and submit preference card before deadline.
  • Confirm participation rules with Iowa Democrats.

Republican Party:

  • Arrive early for credentialing; caucus usually starts 7:00 PM.
  • Bring government-issued ID.
  • In-person attendance required.

Action 5. Attend or Submit Participation (February/March, even years)

Follow party instructions for check-in, voting, and participation.
Complete all required sign-in and eligibility verification steps.

Action 6. Volunteer To Serve in a Precinct Position (February/March, even years)

Volunteer for:

  • Precinct Chair
  • Precinct Vice Chair (if applicable)

If not filling position, offer assistance to precinct leadership.

Action 7. Volunteer to Be Delegate (February/March, even years)

Volunteer to serve as delegate or alternate to organizing unit or county convention.

Action 8. Participate in your Party

  • Stay active in your party.
  • Having learned about some of the platform resolutions, you may consider working to support those you think might pass.
  • You and others can submit platform resolutions for your party.
  • Work with others before submitting to ensure you're likely to get the widespread support for your resolution needed to get it to pass.
  • Don't complicate the proceedings with resolutions that have little support.
  • Volunteer, fund-raise, support your local candidates, and invite others.

References

Reminders

Election participation starts in January. February participation is critical. Enjoy your chance to participate in your party’s decision-making process.