Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 7:00 p.m.
Location: Vadnais Heights Elementary School, 3645 Centerville Road, Vadnais Heights, MN 55127
Precinct caucuses are the first step used by Minnesota’s major political parties to select the candidates and issues they will support in the 2008 elections. Minnesota’s three major political parties are the Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Independence, and Republican parties. Minnesota's minor political parties are the Green, Constitution, and Libertarian Parties. Precinct caucuses are open to the public.
What’s happening at the caucuses?
- Election of delegates and alternates
Delegates are the individuals who will go to the party conventions later in the spring and summer to determine which candidates will receive the party endorsement. At the precinct caucus you will have an opportunity to elect delegates and alternate delegates. Become a delegate if you want to influence which candidates your party will support.
- Discussion of issues
Caucuses also provide a forum for you to voice your views on a wide range of important political issues. You can submit and vote on resolutions that the party conventions may make a part of their platform.
- Election of local party leadership
The political parties use the precinct caucuses to elect their precinct officers.
- Straw Ballot
Political parties may use the precinct caucuses to conduct preference polls for presidential candidates. The caucuses are also a great place for other candidates for elected office to build support.
Where will my caucus be held?
The parties have provided the Office of the Secretary of State with lists of caucues times and locations. The office encourages those interested in attending a precinct caucus to use our Caucus Finder. The Caucus Finder will display the caucus meetings and times in your precinct.
Who can attend the caucuses?
Precinct caucuses are free and open to the public. To participate at a caucus you must support or be likely to support the candidates of the political party whose caucus you attend.
What if I have a disability?
Most caucuses are held in accessible buildings. Individuals who plan to attend party caucuses may request an interpreter if needed. Requests must be made by letter or electronic mail to the state office of the major political party whose caucus they plan to attend before the precinct caucus date.
Individuals who require audio, braille, or large print materials may request all official caucus materials to be sent as soon as they are available. Contact your party’s state office for more details.
What is the next step after the precinct caucuses?
Each caucus will elect a certain number of delegates, which they usually set based on the voting results in that precinct for the party’s candidates in previous state elections. The delegates elected on precinct caucus night will take part in the party’s county or district convention, and many of these delegates will continue on to the congressional district and state conventions.
Be An Election Judge!
Election judges serve in over 4,000 polling places across Minnesota on election day. State law permits employees to take time off from work without loss of pay to serve as election judges. Parties also often ask people to express their interest in being an election judge (poll worker) at the precinct caucuses.
You can express interest in serving as an election judge by contacting your county auditor, municipal clerk, or township clerk at any time.
How to become an election judge:
- Contact your county auditor, city clerk, or township clerk and apply to be an election judge.
- Wait to be contacted by your county auditor, city clerk, or township clerk. If appointed, they will let you know when you will be attending election judge training.
- Serve as an election judge on the day of the primary, general election, and possibly at any special elections.
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