Everything you need to know about:
YOUR PRECINCT CAUCUS

The 2008 Caucus has been moved from the usual time in March to Tuesday, February 5, 2008. Caucusing for Minnesota Senate District 37 (southeastern Burnsville, Apple Valley and Rosemount) will be at Apple Valley High School.

This is the current timeline:

• 6:00 p.m.: Doors open
• 6:30 p.m.: Presidential Preference ballots available (People can register in their precincts, cast their Presidential Preferential ballots and leave if they prefer to not participate in the rest of the caucus activities)
• 7:00 p.m.: Caucus officially begins

The Precinct Caucus is the beginning of the process that Minnesota's major political parties use for choosing the candidates and the issues they will support in the 2008 elections. Their choices are especially important because the future of our state and country will be affected by the candidates we elect in 2008.

The law has been changed to move the time of the 2008 Caucus to the first Tuesday in February to coincide the other caucusing and the various primaries being conducted around the nation. They are open to the public. Currently, Minnesota has three major political parties: Democratic-Farmer-Labor, Independence, and Republican.

What's happening at the Caucus?

First, find out which precinct you live in (if you don't know your precinct, there will be a map and volunteer help) and proceed to the appropriate room, or see if there will be a meeting of all participants before you split up into precincts.

If you want to find out your precinct number before you go to your Caucus, use the Minnesota Secretary of State Polling Place Finder. This tool not only finds the location where you will be voting in November, but includes all the information about your precinct. Look for something like "Precinct Name: APPLE VALLEY P-02", which in this example means you are in Apple Valley precinct 2.

A convener will start the Caucus meeting and guide you through the process, which will include:

1. Election of delegates and alternates
   At the Caucus, you will have an opportunity to elect delegates who will go to party endorsement conventions held later this spring and summer.
2. Discussion of issues
   The Caucus will also 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.
   Learn more about Resolutions »
3. Election of local party leadership
   The political parties elect their precinct officers at the Caucus.
   Also, if you think you might be interested in running for an elected office, the caucus is a good place to seek support.
4. Straw Ballot
   Parties will conduct preference polls for presidential candidates.

Where will my caucus be held?

The SD37 Caucus will be held at Apple Valley High School (14450 Hayes Road, Apple Valley, MN 55124).

Who can attend the Caucus?

Anyone can attend a precinct caucus to observe. You can participate and vote in a party's caucus if you will be eligible to vote on November 4, 2008, and if you support or are likely to support that party's candidates.

What if I work or have school that evening?

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 p.m. on the evening of precinct Caucus. State agencies, school boards, county boards, township boards, city councils, and all other political subdivisions cannot conduct meetings after 6:00 p.m. on caucus night.

What if I have a disability?

Caucusing is usually held in accessible buildings. Individuals who plan to attend their party caucus may request an interpreter if needed. Requests must be submitted by certified mail to the party's county or legislative district committee at least 30 days before the date of the caucus. Individuals who require audio, braille, or large print materials may request all official caucus materials to be sent as soon as available so that they may be converted. Contact your party's state office for more details.

How do I become a delegate?

Each caucus will elect a number of delegates. Usually, the number is set by each party based on the voting results in that precinct for the party's candidates in previous state elections. Delegates elected on precinct caucus night take part in the party's county or district convention, and many delegates continue on to the congressional district and state conventions as well.

SERVE YOUR PARTY & STATE - BE AN ELECTION JUDGE!

Parties often ask people to express their interest in being an election judge at the precinct Caucus. Election judges serve in over 4,000 polling places across Minnesota on election day. Their work ensures fair elections. State law permits employees to take time off from work without loss of pay to serve as election judges. You can express interest in serving as an election judge at your precinct caucus or by contacting your major political party chair at any time. Those indicating an interest by June 1, 2006 have the best chance of being selected. Party balance among the polling place workers ensures fairness; therefore, the law requires that election judges declare a party affiliation and that there is party balance in each polling place.

How to become an election judge:

• Attend your precinct caucus and ask to be placed on the party list of recruits to be election judges.
• Or, contact your political party before July, 2008, and ask to be placed on their list.
• Or, call your auditor or clerk after July, 2008, to request appointment as an election judge.
• Then, if appointed, attend training provided by your city clerk or county auditor in July, August, or September, 2008.
• Serve on Primary Day, September 9, 2008, and Election Day, November 4, 2008. You also may be asked to serve at special elections.

Please remember: Don't be afraid to go to your caucus because you don't know what to do. We will have people there to guide you through the process. You will see how interesting and fun it is to participate!

Still a litte confused about Caucusing? The Minnesota Women's Press has an excellent article about attending a caucus that may clear things up for you.