Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Long queues have been reported across Iowa, suggesting a big turnout

The nationwide process of selecting candidates to run in November's US presidential race is under way in the state of Iowa.

Voters have begun meeting - or caucusing - across the state in schools, churches and other venues.

With half the Republican votes counted, it appears that there is a three-way fight between Donald Trump, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio.

Iowa kicks off a state-by-state contest over the coming weeks and months.

The Democratic race is also too close to call, with Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders mounting an unexpectedly strong challenge against the former first lady and Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

The third contender in that race, Martin O'Malley, is about to drop out of the contest, sources close to his campaign have told the BBC.

Follow our live updates

Campaigning intensified over the weekend as candidates toured the sparsely populated Midwestern state to court undecided voters.

Voting began at 19:00 local time (01:00 GMT on Tuesday) and the final results - a winner from each party - could be named within hours.

This first electoral test is seen as key because victory can boost campaign momentum as other states vote.

Image copyright AP Image caption Bernie Sanders has been watching the results come in with his family

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Republican Marco Rubio has been tipped to perform better than expected in Iowa

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Democrat hopeful Hillary Clinton brought doughnuts for volunteers at her campaign office

Image copyright AFP Image caption Republican Jeb Bush was cheered in Des Moines but has fallen behind in the polls

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Donald Trump addressed a meeting in Waterloo, Iowa, alongside wife Melania (centre) and daughter Ivanka

Supporters of the main candidates in Iowa gave very different reasons for their backing.

Suzanne Wood said Mr Cruz was someone who "knows how to argue for conservative values", citing his stance on gun rights and religion.

For Julian Raven, an artist and preacher campaigning for Donald Trump, the Republican has the "courage that is required to match up with the existential threats that we face as a western civilisation".

More on the US election

How does a US election work? If you want to be president, it helps to be governor, senator, or five-star military general - and have lots of patience

What would a Trump presidency be like? Imagining the first terms of Mr Trump and other candidates

Shall I compare thee to Iowa: Why the Hawkeye state is like the Oscars, the Luge, and Leicester City football club

Know your election lingo: Americans and Brits quizzed on US political jargon

Special report: The BBC's full coverage of the race to the White House

Iowa has an unusual election system called a caucus, which involves people gathering at private homes, schools and other public buildings across the state.

Democratic voters divide themselves into groups based on their preferred candidate, but the Republican caucus process is more like a traditional ballot.

Turnout could be high, especially with a predicted snowstorm expected to strike after the vote.

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Katty Kay explains the long and complex process for picking a presidential nominee

Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Can Iowa voters talk about their differences over pie?

The Iowa Republican Party said there could be more votes cast than the record set in 2012, when 120,000 people turned out.

Democrats also expect a strong turnout, though not as many as the 240,000 people who caucused in the 2008 contest when Mrs Clinton was beaten into third by Barack Obama and John Edwards.

Iowa does not always pick the eventual winner. The last Republican winner in Iowa who won the party's nomination was George W Bush 16 years ago.

In the weeks ahead, there will be more ballots in the 49 other states plus US territories.

Each party's nominee will be chosen by the summer, and the US will pick its next president in November.