In this file photo, Carolyn Tallett leads a discussion during the 2012 Republican caucus.

CLINTON, Iowa — When Carolyn Tallett and Emily Graham venture to their respective caucus sites Monday, they’ll do so with a different degree of experience.

For Tallett, this is part of an annual, frigid trip to choose a Republican presidential candidate. For Graham, she’s one of the numerous expected first-timers to flood the caucuses.

With their differences — Tallett is a long-time Republican, while Graham is a supporter of Democrat Bernie Sanders — also comes similarities.

They believe in being involved in the presidential selection process. They understand the importance of Iowa’s first-in-the-nation caucus. And they also happen to be temporary chairwomen for their precinct sites.

“I tell this to my students, that you have to decide what world you want to live (in),” said Graham, a first-year English teacher in the Northeast School District in eastern Iowa. “Then you go do something about it. You’re the only one who can do something about it.”

Graham is one of many first-time caucus-goers hoping to elect Sanders. According to a YouGov poll, Sanders is enjoying 74 percent of support from Democrat voters ages 18 to 29 in Iowa. That could be problematic, though, since only 3 to 4 percent of eligible caucus-goers younger than 29 voted in five of the previous six presidential caucuses.

The only year in the last six presidential races where that number saw a bump was in 2008, when young voters were part of the reason Barack Obama earned the nomination.

Clinton County Democratic Chairwoman Jean Pardee doesn’t expect the same turnout as 2008, but she anticipates a large crowd Monday.

“It’s hard to be sure, but we’re expecting a big turnout,” said Pardee, who has been involved in caucuses since she came to Clinton in 1967. “Everything seems to be pointing to that direction that we will have big numbers. I can’t imagine it will be more than 2008, but it would be tremendous if that were the case.”

Graham’s interest in politics didn’t hit a fever pitch until this past year, when she received a mailing talking about Sanders’ positions. That resonated so much that she’s been knocking on doors and calling potential voters in the run-up to the caucus.

While Tallett isn’t going door-to-door, her enthusiasm hasn’t waned. In fact, it’s only been magnified as she steadily grew to appreciate Iowa’s standing in the political climate, which this year has showcased a bevy of GOP contenders.

According to an aggregate of polls by The Huffington Post, Donald Trump still leads Ted Cruz for the nomination. Trump, much like Sanders, is relying on first-timers to give him an edge. Republicans are expecting the crowded field, accompanied by the anticipation generated by months of campaigning, to turn into a major night for the GOP caucus.

Clinton County Republican Chairman Dan Smicker said the county is preparing more ballots than in past years.

“We know how many people attended four years ago and we already have ballots prepared and in the packets,” Smicker said. “We’re expecting a 40-percent increase. That would be a safe assumption on the increase.”

A record-breaking night would be just another milestone for Tallett. Her involvement in party politics has been significant, and during her first memory of going to a caucus, she wasn’t too dissimilar from Graham.

She was listed as the temporary secretary heading into the 1976 caucus featuring Gerald Ford, who was lifted to the presidency after Richard Nixon’s resignation, and a former actor, then only known as Gov. Ronald Reagan.

Now, the state still holds a significant role in the nation’s choosing of the next president, something Holly Rowden is experiencing for the first time.

Rowden moved to Iowa from the Chicago suburbs seven years ago. And thanks to caring for her children and adjusting to the move, she didn’t give much thought to the last Republican caucus in 2012.

That mindset has changed in 2016.

“I didn’t realize the importance of the Iowa caucus until this particular election,” Rowden said. “The last one, we were so new with little kids, we just didn’t realize it.”

While Rowden plans to back Sen. Marco Rubio for the GOP nomination, Tallett said she’s still not sure who she’s supporting Monday.

“I feel at this time I’m a bit more perplexed,” Tallett said. “I don’t know who I am going to vote for, and I don’t answer my phone at night anymore because of all the surveys.”

Luckily for Tallett and those still undecided, there’s still time to decide. Once Monday concludes, the advertisements and phone call barrages will cease, at least until the general election.

“Just come and meet your neighbors,” Tallett said. “You’re bound to become more informed and will know more about the process. We should all be a part of the process. It’s our civic duty.”

Scott Levine is the associate editor of The Clinton (Iowa) Herald.