What the heck is a caucus?

Today’s the day. Voting for President of the United States gets underway as folks in Iowa go to the polls. Wait. What? There are no polls in Iowa? What do you mean?

That’s right, Iowa is one of several states across the country that uses caucuses to pick delegates that will eventually help nominate a presidential candidate this summer. But what is a caucus? In some ways, it’s democracy in its purest form. It’s basically a chance for neighbors to meet and discuss candidates and pick the one they prefer.

Sound complicated? A lot of people think so, especially newcomers to the process. That’s why students at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, held mock caucuses last night to explain how it all works. Check out the video above to learn for yourself.