Party chairs come together to get out the vote

Minnesota's precinct caucuses are run by political parties as the first step in selecting candidates and writing party platforms. Anyone eligible to vote is also eligible to take part in these neighborhood meetings. You can locate your precinct caucus online, using the Web sites of the political parties or the Secretary of State.

Ron Carey, chairman of the Republican Party of Minnesota, describes caucuses as the on-ramp for political participation.

"I think most Minnesotans can probably relate to the fact they've gone to the ballot box in November and said I wish I had different choices on the ballot, or maybe the candidates aren't speaking about the issues that are most important to me," said Carey. "And February 5 is the day you can actually make a difference as to who the candidates are who the leaders are in your respective party, and what issues are talked about."

The big draw for Republicans and Democrats this year is the opportunity to influence the presidential campaign. The two parties moved up their caucus date by a month to give Minnesota more of a say in the 2008 campaign and both nominations remain up for grabs. The Secretary of State's office will report results of the Presidential Preference Ballot. No absentee voting is allowed.

The vote is a non-binding straw poll for Republicans. But for Democrats, the results are considered binding. Brian Melendez, chairman of Minnesota's DFL Party, says caucus voting will determine the allocation of 72 state delegates to the Democratic National Convention.

"Those 72 delegates are going to be apportioned among the presidential candidates who get more than 15 percent of the vote," said Melendez. "The actual people who will go to the Democratic National Convention are going to be chosen by the supporters of those candidates at higher levels of decision making, at the state convention and congressional district conventions."

Melendez says the delegates will have chances at those later conventions to realign with other candidates as the presidential field narrows.

On caucus night, participants in both parties have the option of casting their presidential vote and skipping the rest of the meeting. But Melendez says caucus newcomers who stick around often get more opportunities. "If you're looking to get elected as a delegate to the next level out of the precinct caucus to your senate district or county convention, or even further up if you're looking to be elected a delegate to the state convention, one of the best arguments you can make to the folks in the room is it's my first time and I have never gone. Those arguments usually work, and those folks get elected," explained Melendez.

Melendez is predicting the DFL caucuses could attract up to 70,000 people, which he describes as a Vietnam-era level. Carey says the GOP turnout could reach a record 50,000 if the presidential race is still tight in two weeks.

"Two weeks from now it could be more competitive or it could be less competitive and that honestly will be a trigger that determines determines how many people show on either side," said Ron Carey of Minn. Republican party.

Other political parties will also hold precinct caucuses. The Independence Party of Minnesota will hold nearly 70 caucuses throughout the state on February 5. The party will also hold an online virtual caucus that runs February 6 through March 5. Chairman Craig Swaggert says this is will be the third IP virtual caucus.

"It gives the opportunity for people who can't get out on February 5 the opportunity to participate. It's something we're working on to improve, but in general the experience was very good," Swaggert said.

The Constitution Party hold its caucuses on Saturday February 2. The Green Party caucuses are Tuesday March 4. The Libertarian Party will not hold precinct caucuses.

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