It's the Iowa Caucuses — not the Iowa Caucus — and here's why

A man walks past caucus signs in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, on Saturday. Andrew Harnik/AP

It’s the Iowa caucuses – not the Iowa caucus.

Tonight, voters will gather in 1,657 separate precincts across Iowa for neighborhood meetings – or caucuses – to express their preference in the Republican presidential race. These gatherings are organized by the GOP, rather than state election officials, and will be held in about 730 different venues like schools, churches, community centers and libraries. 

Those two figures – 1,657 precincts, but 730 locations – are interesting and potentially important. Why? This year, many of the precinct meetings will be held in the same larger location – different rooms of a high school, for example – in consolidated super sites.

In 28 counties, of Iowa’s 99, there is only one caucus location. That means some voters will have to drive many miles to reach their destination. In rural Iowa, for example, a caucus site is likely to be much farther away than in the city or suburban areas. 

As the dean of the Iowa press corps, O. Kay Henderson from Radio Iowa explained, those super sites could be significant.

We will find out tonight if those longer drives impacts turnout, given the frigid wind chills and snowy road conditions for much of the state.