Des Moines, Iowa is where the Iowa caucuses kicked off at 7 p.m.

The candidates wrapped up their final campaign stops of the day around 6 p.m. They headed to different watch parties around Des Moines the next few hours.

All around Des Moines the signs of the fever pitch this campaign has reached are evident. National and international media have descended upon the mid-size capitol city during the last few days. But it's the people who live here, the people who have seen it all along, take center stage tonight.

And with the eyes of the world on them, the weight of the decision doesn't phase them.

"I don't feel pressure, I just feel pride. I guess Iowa's not known for anything other than our political stance and where we get to see all the candidates as much as we do," said Sarah Winchell, Iowa Caucuser. "I think it's neat that Iowa gets to break away and choose who they want first and put their opinion out there. Which is obviously valuable."

National polls show a tight race between democrat Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and John Edwards. While republicans Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee are also in a fight. But with so many Iowans still undecided it's hard to say how much those polls will matter.