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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Caucus-goers register at Hanawalt Elementary School, Des Moines, Iowa, Feb. 1, 2016. (M. Cagler/VOA)

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Republican voters gather for their caucus in a church, West Des Moines, Iowa, Feb. 1, 2016. (K. Farabaugh/VOA)

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A Republican caucus voter collects ballots after voting at a West Des Moines caucus site, Iowa, Feb. 1, 2016. (K. Farabaugh/VOA)

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Republican caucus attendees count ballots in West Des Moines, Iowa, Feb. 1, 2016. (K. Farabaugh/VOA)