Pledge to attend your precinct caucus! Pledge to attend your precinct caucus to stand up for MAPE issues! Minnesotans will get our turn to vote for our presidential candidate of choice on Tuesday February 5th. Coined “Super Duper Tuesday,” approximately 24 primaries and caucuses will be held on that day nation-wide.  Precinct caucuses are the first step in influencing your party’s path by becoming a state convention delegate or helping to craft the party platform. For more information about caucuses, including a location finder and training, please visit out Team MAPE caucus page, or contact Kendal Killian at kkillian@mape.org. Sample Letter for Campaign Subject: Please pledge to attend your local precinct caucus! Dear [ Decision Maker ] , Yes, I pledge to attend my precinct caucus to stand up for MAPE issues! Signed by:

Campaign Launched: January 14, 2008

Background Information

CAUCUS BASICS

What is a caucus?

A caucus is a neighborhood, or precinct, political meeting. It is held for several purposes: for people to cast their vote for the presidential candidate of their preference, to begin the process of selecting Minnesota’s delegates to the National Convention (where the 2008 Presidential nominee will be chosen), and to start organizing the party for the next two years. Minnesota’s presidential preference ballot serves, in effect, as Minnesota’s primary election.

Above all, caucus is a great exercise in grassroots democracy.  It’s a gathering unlike any other, one which will provide you with the opportunity to have a direct impact on the direction of your neighborhood, your state, your party and your country. 

Who can participate in a caucus?

Any Minnesota resident, 18 years old or older (or will be 18 by November 4, 2008), who is not participating in another political party’s caucus, is not an officer of another political party, and agrees with party principles s eligible to vote in the presidential preference balloting and to run for a delegate position.  Any person 16 years or older can run for the DFL precinct officer positions, participate in caucus discussions, and vote on platform resolutions.  

When are caucuses held?

Precinct caucuses are held on the evening of Tuesday, February 5, 2008. The evening has two main parts. The presidential preference balloting is held from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The selection of delegates who will progress from the precinct caucuses to the next level of convention (the county unit) will occur after 7:30 p.m. You may arrive as early as 6:30 p.m. in order to register.

Where are caucuses held?

The precinct caucuses will be held in a school, library, or other public buildings in or near your neighborhood. (This will NOT necessarily be the same place where you vote in a general election.) Caucus locations are available through your party's website. Click here for links

Why should I go to my precinct caucus?

Voting at your precinct caucus is your only chance to cast your vote for the candidate of your choice (called your presidential preference) during the presidential primary season. It is also a chance to have your voice heard in the political process. In addition to casting your vote, participating in your precinct caucus will give you the opportunity to select county unit convention delegates, to run for county unit convention delegate yourself, and to help shape the party platform.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES OF A CAUCUS

Each caucus should accomplish four objectives: 

·         Vote for presidential preference: Just as in a state with a presidential primary election, the first objective is to vote for your preference for the presidential nomination.

·         Elect precinct officers: The second objective is to elect a caucus chair for the evening and elect three precinct party officers—one chair and two associate chairs—for the party, who will be responsible for running the party at the local level for the next two years.

·         Selection of delegates: The third objective is to select delegates to go on to county unit conventions, the next stage in the selection process for delegates to the National Convention.

·         Shape party platform: The fourth objective is to talk about federal, state, and local issues that that may become part of the party platform.