New Hampshire is the first state to hold a primary while Iowa is the first state to hold a caucus. New Hampshire had its primary on January 10, 2012. The Iowa caucus was held on January 3, 2012.

New Hampshire. Iowa holds the first election, but it is a Caucus.

Iowa holds the first caucus and New Hampshire holds the first primary.

The Iowa caucuses come first. Next is the New Hampshire primary, followed by South Carolina.

The first binding event, in which a candidate can secure convention delegates, is traditionally the Iowa caucus, usually held in late January or early February of the presidential election year.