Black Hawk County Republicans Tuesday set up chairs, posted signs, tested microphones...and creating a cold, lonely "Free Speech Area" for any potential protestors to the evening's caucus vote.
By late afternoon, no one showed up to the chilly outside zone. But the caucus does not officially start until 7 p.m. so there was still time.
![A free speech area is set up outside the UNI-Dome in Cedar Falls Tuesday January 3, 2012. Any protesters are expected to be directed here. ] GLEN STUBBE * gstubbe@startribune.com](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/NBC7VDQLLE6PEPJH2BE4UC2Z4E.jpg?&w=1080)
Inside, the Cedar Falls UNI-DOME was set to host one of the state's largest gatherings and act as evening home to more than 60 Iowa precincts.
Although the focus of attention Tuesday night will be on the presidential picks -- Michele Bachmann, Newt Gingrich and possibly other candidates are expected to address caucus-goers before the vote -- Republicans will also have party business to handle. Some precincts may take as long as two hours to get through their work. The caucuses officially start at 7 p.m.
