Party Leaders Urge Minnesotans to Join Caucuses Next Week

The party also has another 16 unpledged delegates, or “superdelegates”, who are party leaders whose votes aren’t determined by the results of March 1 caucuses.

Volunteers also will have a chance to be elected to county, legislative district, congressional district, state and national conventions in the spring and summer.

Democratic and Republican caucuses begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, with the first order of business voting on presidential candidates.

In 2012 about two percent of eligible voters showed up to pick delegates and check off their preferred presidential candidates, according to the GOP and DFL numbers sent to the Secretary of State’s office.

Registration opens at 6:30 p.m., and the caucuses start at 7. “The caucus process is an opportunity for people in a town hall setting to really have an impact on who the next president of the United States will be”.

Minnesotans also have the right to take time off work to be at a precinct caucus or, if they are chosen as delegates or alternates, a political party convention, but must give their employer ten days written notice.

– Minnesota is part of Super Tuesday, when 11 states will hold caucuses or primaries. Can I vote absentee in the presidential preference ballot?

With most Super Tuesday states in the South, Simon said that candidates are looking for “bragging rights” by winning Minnesota to show they can win a Midwestern state.

Since the caucuses are hosted by the parties, the locations are different than the polling stations people usually vote at.

Gustavus Adolphus College senior Jack Anderson says, “I think there’s a lot of questions that surround the caucus, it’s not a straight forward as the general election”. This year, caucus night votes are binding and will directly affect which Republican gets nominated for president.

“It’s probably never been more important and Minnesota has maybe never been as positioned, at least in recent times, to really be part of the mix”, said Downey, who was joined by DFL Party chairman Ken Martin. On the Democrats’ side, Martin said nothing is confirmed, but he expects both Sanders and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to visit before Tuesday’s caucus. “Until people show up and vote, you can’t say for sure”. While Martin has personally endorsed Clinton, he believes Sanders has more organic support in Minnesota.

Q: What if I want to attend a Green Party, Libertarian or other minor party caucus instead? Downey did not offer specific predictions, but said with several Republican candidates – compared to two Democrats – he expect lots of interest.