An inside look at the different places thousands of Iowans will meet for the 2024 caucuses

On January 15th, Martin Luther King Junior Day, Iowa Republicans will make their voices heard in the first-in- the-nation caucuses. White House hopefuls aren't the only ones scrambling to prepare. ��vlog's Ophelie Jacobson shows us how caucus workers are getting ready for the big night. It's crunch time ---- <CLIP 9758 TIME 18:08:26 "WE'VE GOT THE BALLOTS ORDERED, WE'VE GOT ALL THE MATERIALS."> for the first in the nation Iowa caucuses. Kelley Koch is making her final rounds ---- <CLIP 9758 TIME 18:08:36 "THE LAST CHECKLIST FOR ME IS TO VISIT ALL THE SITES."> --- visiting several caucus sites in Dallas County ahead of the big day. We followed her around as she made a list --- <CLIP 9758 TIME 18:10:24 "THIS IS MY PERSONAL CHECKLIST WITH ALL THE SITES."> and checked it twice. <CLIP 9758 TIME 18:11:17 "WE NEED A MIC AS SPEAKER AND OF COURSE THE AMERICAN FLAG."> We started at the RecPlex in West Des Moines. It'll be their first time hosting a caucus. On a regular weeknight --- <NAT OF KIDS> kids are playing soccer. But on January 15th ---- <CLIP 9758 TIME 18:05:21 "EVERYONE WILL WALK IN THROUGH HERE AND THEN THEY'LL BE ABLE TO HAVE A CAUCUS."> central Iowans will be picking who they want to be the next president. Koch says she's expecting 1,500 to 2,000 people at this location ALONE. It'll be the biggest location in the county, hosting three precincts. <CLIP 9758 TIME 18:07:51 "IT'LL BE GOOD. VERY EXCITING."> We then headed to Eason Elementary School in Waukee. <CLIP 9772 TIME 18:54:36 "WE ARE GOING TO BE CAUCUSING CLIVE 7 AND WAUKEE SEVEN."> Koch says they chose this location because of its geography. It's in the middle of a residential neighborhood and it's a place many people know. <CLIP 9772 TIME 18:59:12 "THIS IS WHERE THE MOMS AND DADS AND THEIR KIDS COME. THEY COME HERE EVERY DAY TO PICK UP THEIR KID."> It's smaller than the RecPlex --- but Koch says this site represents the heart of caucus night. <CLIP 9772 TIME 18:59:27 "THIS IS MORE, IN MY OPINION, A SLICE OF AMERICA."> We then crossed into Polk County and met up with Will Rogers, who's a caucus site captain for Franklin Jr. High. <CLIP 3060 TIME 15:46:26 "WE ANTICIPATE THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OVER 1000 PEOPLE HERE AT THIS CAUCUS LOCATION ALONE."> Rogers knows just how much work goes into planning a caucus. He's the former chair of the Polk County G-O-P. He showed us around this auditorium that can fit 5,000. <CLIP 3061 TIME 15:54:55 "A MICROPHONE UP HERE AND THE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE OR SURROGATES THAT WILL BE SPEAKING FROM UP HERE AS WELL."> Rogers expects there to be more than 1,000 people here on caucus night --- divided into five precincts. <CLIP 3061 TIME 15:56:02 "WE'RE GOING TO BREAK UP. YOU KNOW, SECTION A OVER HERE WILL BE LIKE A THAT'LL BE FOR DES MOINES FIVE."> He says this location works well because of the size and parking. And he's excited to see this space filled --- <CLIP 3064 TIME 16:00:30 "PEOPLE JUST SHOW UP AND PARTICIPATE AND HAVE A GREAT TIME AND LET THEIR VOICES BE HEARD.">

In less than one month, Republican Iowa voters will gather in community centers, churches and school auditoriums to decide their preferred candidate for president in the 2024 caucuses. The caucuses will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 15. Local county Republican parties are putting the finishing touches on their plans for the big night. ��vlog caught up with local county GOP leaders to see what preparation looks like in the final weeks.Dallas CountyKelley Koch is the chair of the Dallas County GOP. She made her final rounds to different caucus sites this week to make sure everyone was on the same page. She showed us her checklist of things each site needs to have, such as volunteers, a mic, and an American flag. "I sleep well when everybody has this checklist," Koch said. "There's a lot of work involved."The MidAmerican Energy RecPlex in West Des Moines will host three precincts on caucus night. Koch said she's excepting 1,500 to 2,000 people at that location. It'll be the largest site in the county.Koch then toured Eason Elementary School. The caucus site will host two precincts. She said the location is ideal because it's in the middle of a residential neighborhood and it's a place many people know."This is where the moms and dads and their kids come," Koch said. "They come here every day to pick up their kid."Although it's smaller than the RecPlex, she said the elementary school represents "a slice of America."Polk CountyWill Rogers is the former chair of the Polk County GOP, and a caucus site captain this year for Franklin Jr. High. He said they anticipate having more than 1,000 people in the auditorium, divided into five precincts. The auditorium can fit 5,000 people. Rogers said the location is ideal because of the amount of space it has and the parking options it offers. He said he's excited to see the large space filled with people in less than a month."People just show up and participate and have a great time and let their voices be heard," Rogers said. You can find your precinct location by clicking here. Get the latest Iowa Caucus headlines here.

DES MOINES, Iowa —

In less than one month, Republican Iowa voters will gather in community centers, churches and school auditoriums to decide their preferred candidate for president in the 2024 caucuses.

The caucuses will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 15.

Local county Republican parties are putting the finishing touches on their plans for the big night. ��vlog caught up with local county GOP leaders to see what preparation looks like in the final weeks.

Dallas County

Kelley Koch is the chair of the Dallas County GOP. She made her final rounds to different caucus sites this week to make sure everyone was on the same page.

She showed us her checklist of things each site needs to have, such as volunteers, a mic, and an American flag.

"I sleep well when everybody has this checklist," Koch said. "There's a lot of work involved."

The MidAmerican Energy RecPlex in West Des Moines will host on caucus night. Koch said she's excepting 1,500 to 2,000 people at that location. It'll be the largest site in the county.

Koch then toured Eason Elementary School. The caucus site will host She said the location is ideal because it's in the middle of a residential neighborhood and it's a place many people know.

"This is where the moms and dads and their kids come," Koch said. "They come here every day to pick up their kid."

Although it's smaller than the RecPlex, she said the elementary school represents "a slice of America."

Polk County

Will Rogers is the former chair of the Polk County GOP, and a caucus site captain this year for Franklin Jr. High. He said they anticipate having more than 1,000 people in the auditorium, divided into The auditorium can fit 5,000 people.

Rogers said the location is ideal because of the amount of space it has and the parking options it offers. He said he's excited to see the large space filled with people in less than a month.

"People just show up and participate and have a great time and let their voices be heard," Rogers said.

You can find your precinct location by

Get the latest Iowa Caucus headlines here.

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