By Wenda Grabau
Spring Valley, MN
What is a caucus?
According to the “World Book Dictionary,” a caucus is, 1 “U.S. a meeting of members or leaders of a political party to make plans, choose candidates, or decide how to vote… 3 any similar meeting for the private discussion of policy.”
Are caucuses in Minnesota only a political party event?
No. Not only is a caucus a political function, it is a law. Minnesota statute 202A.14 states, “(a) In every state general election year, beginning at 7:00 p.m. on the date established pursuant to paragraph (b), there shall be held for every election precinct a party caucus in the manner provided in sections 202A.14 to 202A.19.”
What is an election precinct?
Again quoting from the “World Book Dictionary,” a precinct is, “1 a part or district in a city 2 the space within a boundary.” For our purposes, it is a fixed area or neighborhood to be represented in the political process or in an election.
What precincts exist in Fillmore County?
In Fillmore County, there are 37 precincts. They consist of 24 townships and 13 cities. The townships include: Sumner, Spring Valley Township, Bloomfield, Beaver, Jordan, Fillmore, Forestville, York, Chatfield Township, Fountain Township, Carimona, Bristol, Pilot Mound, Carrolton, Preston Township, Harmony Township, Arendahl, Holt, Amherst, Canton Township, Rushford Village, Norway, Preble and Newberg. The precinct cities are Ostrander, Spring Valley, Wykoff, Fountain, Chatfield, Preston, Lanesboro, Whalen, Rushford, Peterson, Mabel, Harmony and Canton.
The locations are posted for public notification in the newspaper prior to the caucus date.
When is the Minnesota caucus scheduled for the coming election?
The coming caucus is scheduled for Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
Who may attend a caucus?
According to Minnesota statute 202A.16 Subd. 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 in the precinct caucus. An eligible voter may vote or be elected a delegate or officer in the precinct where the voter resides at the time of the caucus.”
Observers, who are not eligible to vote, are welcome to attend.
What business is conducted at a caucus?
Basically, the caucus gives party members the chance to be heard and to hear the view of others in their precinct. It is the ground level or first step in adopting resolutions for the state party platform.
The precinct caucus gives attendees the opportunity to volunteer for the paid position of election judge.
Elections take place within the precincts for precinct officers, delegates and alternates to the County Convention.
Those who wish to volunteer in other ways may be made aware of ways they can help in the future.
Candidates or their representatives may come to address the caucus attendees.
It is a time to get information and to learn how one may serve.
Am I well represented at the Party Conventions?
This varies with each precinct.
At the caucus, you have the opportunity to represent your precinct as an officer or as a delegate or an alternate to the county convention.
It is my observation that too many precincts go unrepresented at the county convention due to non-participation at the caucus level. If that is the case for your precinct, you are not represented. In that case, causes and policies that concern you, will lack your voting strength and may fail, since you are not represented.
Let me encourage you to come to the caucus and learn. Make your views known and see to it that you are well represented.
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