In basements, banks and homes, the electoral rite begins begins

Tomorrow will see one of the rites of passage in the build-up to the presidential elections in November: the Iowa caucuses.

The Democratic and Republican Parties each will hold precinct meetings at more than 2,100 locations across the state, including schools, libraries, fire stations, grain co-ops, even private living rooms. Here is a guide to the methods and meaning of a sometimes mysterious process:

Q. What is a caucus?

A: A party meeting at the precinct level at which citizens express their candidate preferences and pick delegates to their county conventions. It's the lowest level of party politics.

Q: Who takes part?

A: Anyone who is old enough to vote and a member of the party is eligible, but traditionally only a small number of Iowans shows up - about 10 per cent of the state's 1.8 million registered voters.

Q: What happens at a caucus?

A: Participants, led by a chairman or chairwoman, indicate their preferences for their party's presidential nomination, pick delegates to their county conventions and discuss party business, including their party platforms. About half the people leave, then those who are the real activists get down to brass tacks.

Q: What happens next?

A: Those chosen at the caucuses go to the county convention, where delegates are then selected for the district convention. This happens again at dis trict meetings and again at the state convention, where delegates are named to attend the party's national convention. In the end, Iowa Republicans will send 25 delegates to their national convention. Iowa Democrats will send 47.

Q: Why are the numbers different?

A: The Republicans hold a head count at their precinct caucuses, reporting real numbers. One head, one vote. The Democrats use a mathematical formula to determine support in percentages.

Q: How did all this get started?

A: 'It was something of an accident of history,' says Drake University professor Hugh Winebrenner. A commission appointed following the riots outside the 1968 Democratic National Convention recommended proportionate representation and affirmative action.

Iowa Democrats adopted a rule that there must be a month between the caucuses, county, district, state and national conventions, which led to the caucuses being held in January. 'They claimed they didn't realise what they had done. But it took them very little time to realize they were first in the nation. They have vigorously defended that position ever since,' Winebrenner says.

Q: How does the future look?

A: The future of the Iowa Caucuses is dependent on the national parties, but there is a lot of support among activists for keeping Iowa's first-in-the-nation status. Quite a few candidates have had their chances and profile boosted in Iowa. Some have praised the direct contact with supporters the Iowa campaign allows in these days of television campaigns.

'It fits into their idea of democracy as well,' Winebrenner says.

'All of them yearn for a simpler day when you get out and do what they do in Iowa and New Hampshire. They feel good at the end of a day.'

The Republican challenger, John McCain, has made little effort in Iowa, and may come to regret it.

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