Expectations were high as Iowans headed to the caucuses in 2024, fueled by the memory of the record-breaking attendance in the previous competitive GOP contest. However, the turnout fell significantly short, with just over 110,000 voters participating. Former President Donald Trump emerged as the clear winner, outpacing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley.
Several factors may have contributed to the low turnout, including a perceived lack of enthusiasm among Republicans and challenging weather conditions. A record-breaking cold spell, accompanied by a recent blizzard, posed a significant obstacle, dissuading some voters from participating while others braved the frigid temperatures to make their voices heard.
The 110,000 voters represented less than 15% of the state’s 752,000 registered Republicans. Despite the lower-than-expected turnout, the Iowa GOP celebrated the event as a testament to the state’s “resilience and determination,” according to Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann.
Also Read: Iowa Caucuses 2024: Republican Presidential Candidates Face Off
“Iowans braved record-low temperatures after a blizzard blanketed their state just days earlier to deliberate with members of their community about the future of our country and participate in true, grassroots democracy,” Kaufmann said in a statement. “I could not be prouder to be an Iowan than I am tonight.”
Comparing the 2024 turnout to previous years, the caucuses witnessed a significant decline. In 2016, Republicans set a new record with almost 187,000 participants, constituting about a third of all registered Republicans. The 2024 turnout marked the lowest in more than a decade, with only 110,000 voters.
Donald Trump secured a commanding victory in Iowa, garnering over 56,000 votes and claiming more than 50% of all ballots cast. This victory translated into winning 20 delegates out of the 40 at stake, a strong start in the pursuit of the 1,215 delegates needed to secure the Republican nomination. DeSantis and Haley secured eight and seven delegates, respectively.
As the political landscape unfolds, the Iowa caucuses have set the stage for a dynamic and closely-watched race within the Republican party, leaving pundits and voters alike to contemplate the implications of the lower-than-expected turnout in the Hawkeye State.