Makeup days coming up. 3 as you decide 2016 3 the countdown to the caucuses formal voting begins in iowa in just a few hoursthe first in the nation to cast ballots in the republican and democratic races this is a live look in iowa. Where at 8 eastern time. More than a thousand sites will open across the state. And voters will turn out to support their favorite candidate. 3 but if youve never lived in a state that uses the caucus system. You may be unfamiliar with the way it works. 3 ryan nobles breaks down the process. 3 3 3 3 3 unlike a traditional primary where you just show up and cast your ballot. A caucus takes a bit more work. And the iowa caucus is no different. First up. The process doesnt even begin until seven pm central time. Thats when iowans will gather at more than 1 thousand sites across the state. For the republicans the caucusgoers precinct captains stumping for specific candidates. Then they cast their ballots and go home. For the democrats it is a bit more complicate