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Precinct Caucuses
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Commonly Asked Questions
What are the precinct caucuses?Precinct caucuses are public meetings of eligible voters from each precinct. Since voters from the same precinct generally cast their ballots at the same polling place, the precinct caucuses are essentially meetings of neighbors. Each of Minnesota's major political parties (Republican, DFL, and Independence) have separate caucuses. The caucuses are the beginning of the process the parties use for choosing the candidates and issues they will support in the upcoming elections. Who can attend the precinct caucuses?Anyone can attend a precinct caucus to observe. You can participate and vote in a party's caucus if you:
Minnesota Statutes section 202A.19 permits you to take time off from work without pay to attend your caucus if you give your employer written notice at least 10 days in advance. State universities, community colleges, and public schools cannot hold classes or events after 6:00 pm on the evening of the precinct caucuses.* State agencies, school boards, county boards, township boards, city councils, and all other political subdivisions cannot conduct meetings after 6:00 pm on caucus night.* * This didn't necessarily happen in 2008 because the caucuses were moved from March to February. When are the precinct caucuses?Every two years. The next precinct caucuses will be held in 2010. State law mandates that precinct caucuses remain open for at least one hour. Where are the precinct caucuses?The parties are required by statute to tell the county auditors' offices several weeks in advance where their precinct caucuses will be held. What happens at the precinct caucuses?I. Election of Delegates and Alternates At the caucuses, you'll have the opportunity to elect delegates and alternates who will go to party endorsement conventions held later in the spring and summer. The Senate District 40 Republicans convention is usually held a few weeks after the caucuses. The 2008 convention will be held at 9:00 AM on Saturday, March 1 at Burnsville City Hall. Bloomington delegates and alternates are also called to the Hennepin County convention. The 2008 convention will be held at 9:00 AM on Saturday, February 23 at the Medina Entertainment Center. The Senate District convention elects delegates and alternates to the U.S. Congressional District and State conventions. Minnesota House District 40A delegates and alternates from Burnsville and Savage participate in the 2nd Congressional District convention. House District 40B delegates and alternates participate in the 3rd Congressional District convention. II. Election of Local Party Leadership The political parties elect their precinct officers at the caucuses. In Senate District 40, the top two officers become members of the Senate District 40 Republican Committee, popularly known as the Full Committee. These two officers may be designated to be a Chair and Vice-Chair, a pair of Co-Chairs, a Chair and a Secretary, or whatever the individual precinct caucus decides. Click here for a summary of the Senate District 40 Republicans organization, or see the Bylaws for specific details. III. Discussion of Issues Caucuses provide a forum for you to voice your views on issues such as taxes, education, transportation, property rights, and others. You can submit and vote on resolutions that the party conventions may make a part of the party platform. The best way to write a resolution is to word it as an amendment to the Republican Party of Minnesota's standing platform. Please use this form for writing resolutions. Resolutions that are passed at the precinct caucuses are forwarded to the Senate District conventions. Resolutions that are passed at the Senate District conventions are forwarded to the U.S. Congressional District conventions. Resolutions that are passed at the U.S. Congressional District conventions are forwarded to the State convention. Resolutions that are passed at the State convention are incorporated into the standing platform of the Republican Party of Minnesota. Resolutions are passed at all the various levels by a simple majority vote. Since resolutions are considered to be amendments to the standing platform, there is no need to write any resolutions for issues that are already in the platform. IV. Straw Ballot Parties may conduct preference polls for presidential, gubernatorial, or senatorial candidates. Precinct Caucus Agenda The following agenda complies with state law:
How do I become a delegate, alternate, or precinct officer?You may be elected a delegate, alternate, or precinct officer if you:
The election procedure is prescribed by state law:
Eligible candidates may be nominated by any participating member of the caucus. Self nominations are allowed. Eligible candidates may also be nominated and elected in their absence. If elected, be sure to fill out your name, address, phone number, and email address on the Precinct Caucus Record and Certification (PCRC) form. Please print so your writing is easy to read, and press hard to make the information as readable as possible through the four layers of forms. Senate District 40 Republicans delegates and alternates elected on caucus night will also be given their calls to the Senate District convention and asked to sign a form acknowledging receipt of these calls. What are the duties of delegates and alternates?The duties of precinct delegates and alternates are described in Section 8.4 of the Senate District 40 Republicans Bylaws as:
Precinct delegates and alternates serve for two years until the next precinct caucuses. What are the duties of precinct officers?The duties of precinct officers are described in Section 8.2 of the Senate District 40 Republicans Bylaws as:
Precinct officers serve for two years until the next precinct caucuses. How many delegates and alternates does each precinct get?The number of delegates and an equal number of alternates for each precinct are determined by the number of votes from that precinct for the most recent Republican candidate for President or Governor. In 2008, each precinct received one delegate and one alternate for each 60 votes cast from that precinct for Tim Pawlenty in the 2006 election as follows:
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