Americans Are Just as Excited for the Iowa Caucuses as They Are for the New Star Wars

Claire ZillmanBy Claire ZillmanEditor, Leadership
Claire ZillmanEditor, Leadership

Claire Zillman is a senior editor at Fortune, overseeing leadership stories. 

"Star Wars X Galeries Lafayette" : Galeries Lafayette Christmas Decorations Inauguration In Paris
PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 04: Actors dressed as Storm Trooper characters from "Star Wars" movie "Star Wars Episode VII : The Force Awakens" attend the launch of Christmas lights at Galeries Lafayette department store on November 4, 2015 in Paris, France. (Photo by Chesnot/WireImage)
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Two of the most-hyped upcoming events are neck-and-neck when it comes to garnering Americans’ interest.

According to a new Bloomberg Politics poll, Americans are equally excited about Star Wars: The Force Awakes, the latest movie in the Star Wars series, and the Iowa caucuses, the first-in-the nation presidential nomination balloting that often helps whittle down the field of candidates.

When asked by Bloomberg which event they’re most excited about, 20% of Americans chose the February 1 Iowa caucuses while 19% chose The Force Awakens, which premieres on December 14.

Bloomberg notes that the interest in the Iowa contest is not necessarily tied to seeing who wins, but is instead due to the caucuses signaling the start of the real presidential race when the campaign—in theory—grows more substantive.

 

In case you’re concerned that the United States has turned into a nation of politics and Star Wars geeks, rest assured: The event that Americans are the most excited about is the Super Bowl, which secured 28% of votes.