Iowa caucuses set to be the first in the nation, with Republicans readying themselves.

The first votes of the 2024 presidential election are being cast by caucusgoers despite the freezing temperatures and new records set by snowfall and temperatures in the days leading up to the Iowa caucuses.

At an event in Altoona last week, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis stated that he had never felt a temperature of minus 15 degrees in his entire life.

At an event in Ankeny, Iowa, former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley stated, "It will be extremely cold. I can't even comprehend what -15 degrees feels like."

"I just took a trip and it was amazing," former President Trump said at a Clinton rally. "The snow and rain came, but I saw everything."

The winter storm has forced the candidates to adjust their schedules. Trump had to cancel several events and held a tele-rally. Haley also held telephone town halls after a series of cancellations.

"I am definitely not in South Carolina anymore, and this is unbelievable," she said to attendees at a Waukee event.

Vivek Ramaswamy has criticized other candidates for canceling events, even though he canceled his own.

"Ramaswamy canceled events in northwest Iowa due to a snowstorm, but kept four events intact in Coralville and Burlington. He believes that the snowstorm was not suitable for Xi Jinping's visit, and that people are not ready for him."

Due to black ice, Ramaswamy's Republican campaign bus was unable to travel from Sioux City to Des Moines before the scheduled interview in Dallas County.

Some worry that the lack of voter interaction and cold temperatures could negatively affect voter turnout.

"Some of us who have been involved in the process for a long time are concerned because we have senior voters who sometimes do not vote when the weather is bad. However, I am optimistic and hope that we will have a record turnout, even with the current weather conditions."

Most Republican caucusgoers do not have the option of early voting or mail-in ballots; they must attend in person despite the weather conditions.

According to Leo Landis, a historian from the State Historical Society of Iowa, the caucus process differs from a primary in that you must physically be present at the precinct caucus at a designated time.

Political parties manage caucuses, while states typically oversee primaries. In Iowa, there are over 1,600 Republican locations.

Oman stated that individuals gather in a room, whether it's a classroom or a civic building, to discuss the campaign.

Caucusgoers may still be undecided, so candidate representatives often give speeches in an attempt to sway them. Afterward, caucusgoers cast their votes using a secret ballot.

"Landis explained that nomination processes were traditionally carried out through neighbors gathering to promote a candidate or cause they deemed important and persuade their neighbors. Sometimes, the nomination forms were preprinted, and individuals could check a name, or they could simply write the name on a slip of paper."

The selection of delegates for county conventions marks the start of a multi-tiered process that culminates in the election of delegates to attend the Republican National Convention. These individuals are obligated to support the winner of the GOP caucuses in Milwaukee this summer. However, the 2012 Iowa caucuses brought about significant changes to the Republican Party.

Mitt Romney had initially appeared to defeat Rick Santorum.

In 2012, there was a minor issue where Mitt Romney won by eight votes, according to Oman.

Two weeks after the results were announced, a new tally revealed that Santorum had more votes than Romney.

During the Republican National Convention, the eventual winner would change once again as the delegates were not bound to vote for Santorum or Romney. Instead, they switched their preference to Texas Rep. Ron Paul.

""Rep. Paul recognized that contested conventions could result in a different nomination, as the nomination at the convention unexpectedly changed despite delegates being bound," Landis stated."

During the 2016 election cycle, the Republican National Committee mandated that delegates were obligated to the candidate they were assigned to.

In the 1970s, the Reagan-versus-Ford campaign was not yet decided until the national convention, according to Landis.

The 2020 caucuses led to significant changes in the delegate selection process for Democrats.

"The 2020 Democratic nomination process was a debacle, as Landis stated," said Landis.

The app malfunctioned, preventing the party from deciding a victor.

Oman stated that they did not submit any votes because they did not receive any votes.

Eventually, a tally was released indicating that former South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg had won by a narrow margin against Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Landis stated that the three-day wait and potential inaccuracies in vote and caucus delegate counting negatively impacted the Iowa Democratic Party.

Iowans believe that their first-in-the-nation status in the presidential caucus process increases voter turnout, despite criticism from some on both sides.

Landis stated that while primaries may have limitations, they do not bring out more than 50% of the voters. As a result, it is the engaged electorate who actively participate in caucuses.

Whether Democrats make Iowa first once again in 2028 is unclear.

Landis stated that it would be a challenging task for the Iowa Democratic Party to regain control.

In 1976, Republicans followed the Democrats' lead and made Iowa the first in the nation event.

In 1972, the senator from Maine, Edmund Muskie, was the front-runner and faced off against George McGovern.

In the 1972 presidential election, South Dakota Sen. George McGovern campaigned intensely in Iowa, despite not winning the caucuses, he exceeded expectations and eventually secured the Democrat nomination.

""In 1976, the presidential race became a national event as candidates sought to prove their viability, with McGovern using Iowa as a platform," Landis stated."

Winning the Iowa caucuses does not always guarantee the nomination, but it can provide momentum for candidates. In 1980, George H.W. Bush won the caucuses and went on to be Ronald Reagan's vice president. He was eventually elected to the White House in 1988. Similarly, in 1988, Bob Dole won the caucuses with the help of his Iowa-native campaign manager.

Politics is taken very seriously by us because it has been effective for nearly two generations, as stated by Oman.

Iowa caucusgoers could aid another candidate in gaining the necessary support to win the nomination or other significant political positions, despite polls showing Trump in the lead.

""Iowa's role sometimes overlooks these stories that reveal good candidates with strong messages, organizations, and potential to excel on a national stage," Landis stated."