Make Your Voice Heard — Don't Miss This Chance!

The 2008 Precinct Caucuses are an opportunity for Republicans from around the state to determine the direction of our Party and plan for the November elections. The importance of attending these caucuses cannot be overstated. Our success in November hinges on our ability to organize, mobilize, and activate volunteers throughout Minnesota. Precinct Caucuses are Step One in this process.

At the caucuses, you will have the opportunity to discuss and propose changes to the Republican Party platform, run for and/or vote for delegates to your local Party's convention. And, you will be making a statement of support for your candidate for President and our Party. The Democrats will be turning out in force on February 5th. We Republicans must do the same.

Precinct Caucus 101

The 2008 Minnesota caucuses take place on February 5th and begin promptly at 7:00PM. You attend the Precinct Caucus for the Party you intend to vote for or most align with.

• Find the GOP caucus locations here
• Find the DFL caucus locations here. (This link seems to be awaiting content.)
• Other parties may be having caucuses, but are not officially recognized as major parties. (Google to your heart's content.)
• If you don't know what Precinct you are in, use the Minnesota Secretary of State's Precinct Finder.
• State Statutes regarding Caucus can be found here.

One of the most common questions is “Who can attend?”

202A.16 CAUCUS, WHO MAY PARTICIPATE AND VOTE.
Subdivision 1. Only those individuals who are or will be eligible to vote at the time of the next state general election, may vote or be elected a delegate or officer at the precinct caucus. An eligible voter may vote or be elected a delegate or officer only in the precinct where the voter resides at the time of the caucus.

Subd. 2. Only those persons who are in agreement with the principles of the party as stated in the party's constitution, and who either voted or affiliated with the party at the last state general election or intend to vote or affiliate with the party at the next state general election, may vote at the precinct caucus.

Subd. 3. In case the right of a person to participate at the caucus is challenged, the question of the right to participate shall be decided by a vote of the whole caucus. A person so challenged may not vote on the question of the person's right to participate.

Subd. 4. No person may vote or participate at more than one party's caucuses in any one year.

What is a Precinct Caucus?

Quite simply, a precinct caucus is a gathering of your friends, family, and neighbors to exercise your rights in the American political process. This is your first opportunity during the election year to talk formally about issues, make recommendations for changes to the Republican Party's standing platform, hear from local candidates, and choose delegates to represent you at later party conventions. You are encouraged to run for elected positions yourself. This is where it all starts, and your involvement is what makes the American political system work.

All caucus conveners and other party officials are volunteers. Like you, they care deeply about the direction and future of Minnesota and America. Some people are experienced veterans, and some are new to the process. There is always room for newcomers!

How Can I Participate?

Minnesota law requires your employer to allow you to take time off work, without pay, to attend caucuses, and public schools, state agencies and elected bodies such as city councils are prohibited from holding classes, events, or meetings after 6:00 p.m. on caucus night. Anyone can attend a precinct caucus to observe. You can participate and vote in a party's caucus if you will be eligible to vote on November 4, 2008.

Minnesota's political parties will publish their caucus locations in the newspapers during the week before Febrary 5. You can also call your county auditor or contact Republican Party of Minnesota headquarters at (651) 222-0022 for more information, or go to our web site located at www.mngop.com.

When you arrive at your caucus location, local volunteers will help you register and answer your questions. The format for precinct caucuses is laid out precisely by Minnesota law. The caucus meeting must begin at exactly 7:00 p.m., and Robert's Rules of Order for parliamentary procedure is used throughout the meeting.

Each caucus elects delegates to take part in the Republican Party's county or district conventions, and can then run for delegate positions to the congressional, state, and national conventions.

Speaking the Language

First time caucus-goers can sometimes be confused by the jargon used during the meeting. Here is a quick translation of some of the most common bits of political jargon:

Call - The official notice of a party convention or meeting.

Caucus - A party meeting.

Delegate - A person elected to represent their group at higher party meetings. Delegates are usually elected based on the candidates or positions that they support.

Endorsement - When the delegates vote as a party unit to support a candidate. The candidate may then receive party resources to support his or her election efforts. However, endorsed candidates must still win the party's nomination at the primary election

Election Judge - A person nominated by a major party and appointed by a city or township to administer voting at a precinct polling place.

Major Party - A party receiving the support of 5% of the number of people voting at the last state general election and a vote in each of Minnesota's 87 counties.

Nomination - Candidates must be nominated before their names will be listed on the November election ballot. Major party candidates are nominated at the state primary election in September.

Party Platform - The list of principles and issues positions that guide candidates, workers and members of a political party.

Precinct - A voting district containing one polling place.

Resolution - A written statement of an idea, issue, concern or action for people to consider at a caucus for possible addition to the party platform.

True North Precinct Caucus 2008 Articles