By James Oliphant (Reuters) – Republicans in Iowa will be the first to cast their votes in support of a presidential candidate in the 2024 election when they attend public gatherings on Monday known as caucuses. Former President Donald Trump is heavily favored to win the caucuses, but there have been last-minute surprises in the past. Here is a guide to the process and what to expect: WHAT IS THE IOWA CAUCUS AND WHEN IS IT? The caucus is a process by which voters in the Midwestern state select their top choice for their party’s presidential nomination. It differs from a primary because it’s ov…