Sanders, Trump Lead Among First-Time Iowa Caucus Voters

US Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his Democratic rival, Senator Bernie Sanders, have taken the lead among the parties’ first-time voters in Iowa on the first day of the 2016 caucus which begins the nomination process, a new poll found on Monday.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The results of the poll come on the first day of the 2016 caucuses after US presidential candidates have campaigned around the United States over the year.

On Monday, Iowa voters will determine who will represent their state at the Republican and Democratic national conventions.

"Fueled by a big lead among first-time Iowa likely Republican Caucus participants, Donald Trump jumps to a 31-24 percent lead over Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas," the Quinnipiac University poll said. "Also relying on first-time Iowa likely Democratic Caucus participants, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont has 49 percent, with 46 percent for former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton."

On the night of the Iowa caucuses, the state’s Democrats and Republicans will hold separate meetings at 1,681 local party precincts to discuss the candidates and then give the verdict. The caucuses will begin on Monday at 7 p.m. Central Time (01:00 GMT Tuesday), the results might be known by 10-11 p.m.