By Sara Strong
Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer equates caucuses with a town hall meeting. And anyone who wants their opinions heard by local party leaders has a chance at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
A caucus is a public meeting conducted by major political parties to elect delegates to party conventions and to discuss issues. It's a preliminary step toward supporting candidates for the coming elections.
Delegates from precinct caucuses go on to county and district conventions and may be elected to go on to the state conventions of their party.
The Rock County Republican Party will have its caucus at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Luverne Elementary School Commons.
oThe Rock County DFL Party will have its caucus at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the Luverne Senior Center.
Kiffmeyer said in a press release, "The precinct caucuses are a wonderful opportunity for you to get together with your neighbors to discuss issues and to get in on the ground level of political activity."
The state requires major political parties to host precinct caucuses during general election years, or even numbered years.
Caucuses often turn into major discussions of issues that may be on a party's platform. It is a time when there is most influence over candidates and positions. Voting for precinct officers is by secret ballot.
Because of the importance of caucuses, state agencies, school boards, county boards, township boards and city councils cannot conduct meetings after 6 p.m. that night.
Working people are also supposed to be allowed time off to attend the caucus.
Anyone who is eligible to vote can vote at the caucus. No previous party affiliation is required, but attending usually shows support for that party in the next general election. Children or those not able to vote can attend as observers.