Will the Iowa caucus on Jan. 3 be a preview for Maryland's primary election on April 3?

It's hard to tell. Maryland's primary election comes somewhat late in the game (see the full schedule on presidentialelectionnews.com)—on April 3—and a lot of things could happen between now and then.

In the meantime, get caught up with what's happening in Iowa on Patch.com:

• Read about a packed Newt Gingrich rally on West Des Moines Patch.
• Read Cedar Falls Patch's story about Gingrich attacking negative advertising.
• Read Waukee Patch's story about an Iowa resident who created an application to predict the Iowa caucus winner.
• Read Merrimack Patch's story about how Mitt Romney says he won't cry when discussing his deceased parents.
• Read about how Rick Santorum has claimed residency in two different states this year on Plum-Oakmont Patch.
• Read Iowa City Patch's story about how Iowa Democrats are following the Iowa caucus.
• Read West Des Moines Patch's story about a recent rally by Michele Bachmann.

To vote in a political party's presidential primary election in Maryland, voters must be registered with a political party. The last day to change party affiliation for the upcoming April 3 primary election is March 13.

To change your political affiliation, submit a new voter registration application or a written request to your local board of elections, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections website.

Seventeen-year-olds may vote in the primary elections as long as they will be 18 by the time of the presidential election on Nov. 6.