After almost a year of fierce campaigning, the U.S. presidential election officially began on Monday, with voters in Iowa casting their votes in caucuses. Residents gathered in churches, community centers, libraries and other public buildings in nearly 1,900 precincts across the rural Midwestern state. The results provide the first concrete look at voter sentiment in a year that so far has rewarded non-establishment candidates.
Iowa Holds Caucuses, Kicking Off US Election

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New caucus attendees register in Des Moines, Iowa, Feb. 1, 2016. (K. Gypson/VOA)

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A car in downtown Des Moines, Iowa, on caucus day, Feb. 1, 2016. (K. Gypson/ VOA)

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A new caucus attendee registers in Des Moines, Iowa, Feb. 1, 2016. (K Gypson/VOA)

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Republican voters get ready for their caucus, West Des Moines, Iowa, Feb. 1, 2016 (K. Farabaugh/VOA)