Precinct Caucuses:

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Precinct Caucuses

• Getting Ready for the 06 Elections

Minnesota Council of Nonprofits January and
February, 2006
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Why be involved?

• Advance an issue that matters to you, your
  community, or your organization.
• Support the candidates of YOUR choice.
• Build your involvement in the political process.
• Participate in Minnesotas unique grassroots
  dialogue about policies and politics.

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What if I am not a U.S. citizen?

• In order to vote, become a delegate, or offer
  resolutions at your precinct caucus, you must be
  eligible to vote on November 7, 2006.
• However, you can attend your caucus even if you
  are not a U.S. citizen to
• Observe and learn about participatory democracy.
• Meet your neighbors and discuss issues that youd
  like to see addressed.

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Citizenship and Precinct Caucuses

• Becoming a U.S. citizen can be a long and
  difficult process
• but there is a reward
• You can shape politicians positions on issues
  that matter to you and your community or
• You can run for elected office yourself!
• Direct participation in the precinct caucus
  process, endorsing candidates, and of course
• The Vote

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Overview of the Caucus Process

• Precinct Caucuses March 7th

• Senate District/ County Convention March - April

3) Congressional District Caucuses April - June
4) State Conventions June
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Who can participate?

• You can participate if you
• Reside in the district.
• Will be eligible to vote on Nov. 7, 2006.
• Are in general agreement with the partys
  principles.

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What happens at a caucus?

• There are 3 main caucus activities
• Elect a precinct chair and precinct officers.
• Elect delegates and alternates to the senate
  district/county convention.
• Debate and select resolutions relevant to
  statewide policy issues.
• In presidential election years, caucuses hold
  presidential preference ballots

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A Quick Primer on Roberts Rules

• Making a motion I move that
• Seconding the motion I second the motion
• Calling the question I move to call the
  question
• Point of information Point of information
• Point of parliamentary inquiry Point of
  parliamentary inquiry

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Dont Be Intimidated

• There will be people at your caucus who will know
  more about the rules and process than you do
• but dont be afraid to assert yourself and your
  issues.
• Dont forget
• This process is about grassroots participation.
• This is YOUR opportunity to bring forth the
  issues YOU care about.
• Your input is valuable to your party!

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What exactly do I do there?

• Show up
• Sign in
• Meet people
• Nominate neighbors for party office
• Run for party office (e.g. precinct chair)

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and there is more to do

• Nominate yourself or others to serve as delegates
  to the senate district/county convention.
• Vote for a delegate.
• Present a resolution on an issue that you care
  about.
• If your precinct has subcaucuses, convene a
  subcaucus for a candidate and/or issue.
• Convince as many people as possible to support
  you and form a viable caucus one that can elect
  1 or more delegates to the next level of
  dialogue.

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What is a Walking Subcaucus?

• A group gathered around an issue or candidate for
  the purpose of electing someone to the next level
  of party conventions.
• Often formed by a coalition of underrepresented
  groups that may not be able to elect a delegate
  on their own, but can as a collective.
• The more members your subcaucus can attract, the
  more delegates your subcaucus can elect.
• Subcaucuses are unlikely to occur at the precinct
  level, but are sure to occur at the senate
  district/county conventions and congressional
  district conventions.
• Now lets see it in action

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What is a resolution?

• Party platforms are made up of party positions on
  a wide range of issues.
• Resolutions are position statements that can be
  adopted at the precinct level and advanced to
  become party positions.
• Resolutions need to be presented in writing.

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What does a resolution look like?

• State the problem or opportunity.
• Provide a rationale for a position.
• Present the position as a policy statement.

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Can we see a sample?
Whereas, increasing traffic congestion is causing
dramatic rises in air pollution and costs
Minnesotans millions of dollars in lost time
and Whereas, the Department of Transportation has
declared that building more highways cannot ease
congestion in the long-term and Whereas, over
100 million of federal funding is available to
assist efforts to ease congestion through
construction of commuter rail Therefore, be it
resolved that the _____ Party supports a request
of an additional 60 million in state share
financing for the construction of the Northstar
Commuter Rail Corridor linking the metropolitan
area to St. Cloud
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Resolution Exercise

• Take a few minutes to draft your own resolution
  on an issue that matters to you.
• Address an issue of importance to you at the
  local or state level.
• Avoid too many whereas clauses.
• Be concise!

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How do I present my resolution?

• There is time for resolutions on the agenda.
• Present your proposal and the reasons for it. Be
  persuasive! (It helps to lobby early and have
  copies).
• If there is disagreement, the caucus chair will
  facilitate debate (often 3 statements for and 3
  against).
• Vote!

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Whats next?

• If you are elected to be a delegate to the senate
  district/county convention, plan to attend and
  participate fully.
• Lead a subcaucus while there.
• Nominate yourself to be a delegate to the
  congressional district convention and the state
  convention.
• Promote your resolution and others that you
  support.

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How can I encourage others to participate?

• Send information about local caucuses to friends,
  neighbors, and relatives
• Give them a reason to come tap into the issues
  that matter to your community

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Have fun!

• And be proud that you have been part of the
  initial steps of a process that is essential to
  shaping the future of your community and the
  state of Minnesota.

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How do I find my precinct caucus?

• Republican Party
• www.gop-mn.org
• 651-222-0022
• March 7, 2006,
• 700 p.m.
• Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party
• www.dfl.org
• 651-293-1200
• March 7, 2006,
• 700 p.m.

• Independence Party
• www.mnip.org
• 651-487-9700
• March 7, 2006, 700 p.m.
• Green Party
• www.mngreens.org
• 612-871-4585
• March 7, 2006, 700 p.m.

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How do I find my precinct?

• Call your party
• Go to the Secretary of States website
• http//pollfinder.sos.state.mn.us/
• Or call the Secretary of States office
• 651-215-1440

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One last thought

• Precinct caucuses are only one of many ways to
  affect the political process
• Other options
• Party Meet-Ups
• Candidate Campaigns
• Issue Campaigns
• Nonpartisan Voter Engagement