Find your caucus location here: http://caucusfinder.sos.state.mn.us Please note that if you intend to caucus with the DFL this year, the rules may look different because of COVID-19 restrictions. Read more here. IMPORTANT: choose which party you want to caucus for. Here is a comparison of the two major parties in Minnesota from our friends at FRC Action (note: this comparison is from 2020). Remember to show up! Honestly, this is the most important thing. At this level, the party is quite literally run by those who show up. Visit with your neighbors before and after you sign in at 6:30 p.m. The caucus should convene promptly at 7 p.m., and as things begin, don’t be shy about asking questions – everybody is a volunteer and, often, half the people in any given precinct are there for the first time. There will be somebody who convenes the meeting in your precinct, and the first order of business is to elect somebody to run the caucus – it may or may not be the convener. Then there will usually be some precinct organizing done, such as electing a “precinct chair” who will be active for the coming two-year cycle (or longer). This is also the time and place to submit a resolution to influence your party’s official platform with caucus resolutions. Okay, let's talk about how to create a caucus resolution. They often start with “Whereas…” “Whereas” is a way to introduce a reason, or a series of reasons, supporting the action item. They’re a form of persuasion or logical argument; the whereas parts let somebody make the case. You fill in the form and present it to your precinct caucus chair (or some other volunteer) the particular rules and procedures for adopting them will be made clear by your caucus chairperson, but you can start filling out the form at any time. Here are three resolutions that will help your party move toward more strongly protecting life, family, and religious freedom: Combating Physician-Assisted Suicide Preserving Religious Freedom Recognizing Pornography as a Public Health Crisis When presenting your resolution, make sure to use the correct form for your party:
GOP Resolution Form
DFL Resolution Form Finally, it's important to note that though caucusing is not difficult, it requires patience and perseverance while everyone gets a chance to have their say, and to follow procedure for an orderly process. Besides voting, it's the most basic level of political involvement; it will take thousands of Minnesotans working together at this level to achieve the changes we want to see in the party platforms - changes that would benefit all Minnesotans who value life, family, and religious freedom – and to choose candidates for elected office who will champion those values if elected! So, don’t be intimidated or discouraged from attending because you’re uncertain how it will work! Let’s exercise “citizenship worthy of the gospel of Christ” (Philippians 1:27) and boldly let our voices be heard and our light shine in the 2022 caucuses! Parts of this caucus participation explainer have been adapted with permission from the Minnesota Catholic Conference. |
