The Iowa Caucuses are a series of local gatherings held in the state of Iowa where members of political parties come together to discuss and vote for their preferred candidates for the Presidential election. These caucuses are significant because they are the first major event in the U.S. presidential primary season, often setting the tone for the races that follow. During the caucuses, participants engage in discussions and may change their votes based on these conversations. The results help determine how many delegates each candidate will receive for the Democratic and Republican national conventions, influencing the overall nomination process.