Vote Today! It’s Super Tuesday

Today is 'Super Tuesday' in many states, including Minnesota. This year, participants in both Republican and Democrat caucuses will vote for the presidential candidate of their choice. For the first time, the Republican presidential straw poll vote will be binding, and candidates who poll strongly will win delegates to subsequent conventions.

In November, voters will elect the President of the United States, all members of the Minnesota Senate, all members of the Minnesota House of Representatives and all of Minnesota's eight seats in the United States House of Representatives.

Get out and caucus TODAY!

Here's what it's all about:

6:30 Registration (Get there early!)
7:00 Prompt Start
8:00 Voting Ends

If you are voting Republican, be at Mayo High School.
If you vote Democrat, be at Willow Creek Middle School.
If you vote others, be at Century High School.

What is a Caucus?

Minnesota Caucus Trivia

Everything you wanted to know about caucuses but were too uninterested to ask.

Q. What important event is taking place on March 1?
A. Precinct caucuses at 7:00 PM

Q. How often do they occur?
A. Every 2 years in an even year. The date is set by the Secretary of State. Sometimes they are in February.

Q. What is it?
A. The precinct caucus system is the first step in the process that adopts the principles of a political party, selects party officers, endorses candidates for state and national offices. It is also the first meeting many new activists attend. The precinct caucus should be conducted to allow ample opportunity for discussion. The atmosphere should encourage and exchange ideas, like at neighborhood meetings. The rights of all participants should be treated with fairness and respect and so Roberts Rules of Order are used to help.

Q. Why should I attend?
A. You don’t want to be left out. Precinct officers- candidates first person to contact- will be elected to serve a 2 year term, delegates will be elected to attend the annual Basic Political Organizational Unit (BPOU) convention for the next two years. Attendees will participate in a Presidential Straw Poll. Election Judges, Poll Challengers and other volunteers will be recruited. Additions and changes to state party principles will be discussed.

Q. Where do I attend?
A. Go to www.caucusfinder.sos.state.mn or call the county auditor.

Q. How do I know what precinct I am in?
A. Go to http://pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us to find your precinct

Q. What party do I attend?
A. If you are in major agreement with the principles of a particular party and you have either voted or affiliated with the party in the last general election or you intend to vote with the party in the next general election then that is your party. This year Minnesota recognizes the caucuses of the 2 major parties, the Republican and Democrat Parties.

Q. Who will be there?
A. Attendees will be neighbors who live in your precinct, candidates seeking your vote, students fulfilling class projects.

Q. What do I bring?
A. Bring a notebook and pen. Have resolutions written down to transfer onto the official resolution forms, which if passed go to the BPOU level or the district level or even the state level. Prepare to state your resolution and defend it.

Q. How important is this event?
A. Only 3% of people attend a caucus and make important decisions for the entire state.

Q. What time do they begin?
A. They begin at 7:00 PM and must stay open for at least one hour. Lively discussions keep them open till much later.

Q. Will I be busy that night?
A. No, you will have time on your hands. Minnesota statute states all government sponsored events have to end by 6:00 PM, therefore, no city council meetings, no school board meetings, no firemen drills, no sports events. You may legally request time off from work to attend.

Q. How can I help out at the caucus?
A. The convener will offer you opportunities to help. Bring cookies, bars and coffee.

Q. Who can participate?
A. People who live in the precinct, eligible to vote and be age 18 or older at the time of the next primary or general election which is November 8, must not have participated in another party’s precinct caucus this year and signed in on an official registration form may participate. Anyone can attend and be an observer.

Q. How else can I help at my precinct?
A. By volunteering to be a chairperson or delegate/alternate.

Q. Will there be a straw ballot vote?
A. Yes, taken before 8:00 PM

Q. What is a resolution?
A. It is a suggestion of something you would like to see changed. If passed by the caucus, your resolution is forwarded to the resolutions committee of the county or legislative district convention. If it is adopted there, the same process is repeated at the congressional district and state level conventions. Resolutions passed at the precinct level can become part of your party’s state platform.

Q. Can I get involved in certain campaigns?
A. Yes, the opportunity is there to volunteer to help with a favorite candidate’s campaign. There will be sign-up sheets for campaigns and literature to convince you to help.

Q. When does Minnesota have a primary?
A. August 9th

Q. Why isn’t Minnesota’s primary as important as other primaries?
A. Minnesota focuses on the caucus as the grass roots beginning. It is where it all begins. The August 9th closed party, primaries are a secret ballot to alert the already decided candidates where they stand in Minnesota.

Q. When can I vote in the general election?
A. When you are informed, at least 18 years old, a US citizen and on November 8. Always the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November.

Q. What happens after caucuses?
A. This could be a long answer but people can go far, all the way to the national conventions. People work on campaigns. Caucus elected delegates and alternates attend the Basic Political Organizational Unit’s (BPOU) annual convention which in the case of Wabasha, Goodhue, Winona and Olmsted Counties is organized by county. BPOUs can be organized in many ways such as by House District or Senate District or either of these within the county organization. At the BPOU convention they are elected as delegates and alternates to the District Convention and the State Convention which occur in May and June. At the District Convention the 38 Republican and 94 Democrat delegates are elected to the National Convention.

Q. Is this a fun event?
A. It is a fulfilling and educational event. It explains how our complicated political system works so more people become involved in it. Without this learning opportunity it is hard to understand the inside of politics; this is the starting point. You will complain less and enjoy politics more perhaps giving you the confidence to hold party chairman seats or run for elected office. It connects neighbors and neighborhoods and is a great opportunity for volunteering.

For more information and to understand caucuses and primaries more in depth go to www.diffen.com/difference/caucus_vs_primary