Minnesota Precinct Caucuses 2020: What You Need To Know

MINNESOTA — On Tuesday night, Minnesotans can attend precinct caucuses in their local area. The precinct caucuses no longer involve nominating presidential candidates, because Minnesota has moved to the primary system.

Minnesota's primary will take place on March 3, otherwise known as "Super Tuesday." However, voters can still caucus and help shape their party's platform.

"Caucus is a great way to get involved in the Republican Party of Minnesota," Minnesota Republican chairwoman Jennifer Carnahan wrote in an email to voters Tuesday.

"It's a place to meet like-minded friends and neighbors, get involved in the party as a volunteer, election judge, poll watcher, grassroots leader and even learn about becoming a candidate."

State Democrats are also hoping their voters will turn out to caucus Tuesday.

"Not only are our caucuses the first major step on the path to defeating Donald Trump and defending the tremendous progress our party made in 2018, they also give DFLers a powerful voice in shaping the future of our party," the party stated on its website.

Minnesota's 2020 precinct caucuses take place on Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. at locations set by the parties. The precinct caucuses are run by Minnesota’s political parties.

To participate, you must be eligible to vote in the November 2020 general election and live in the precinct. State election officials also say you "must generally agree with the principles of the political party hosting the caucus."

How a precinct caucus works

Here's how the Minnesota Secretary of State website outlines caucuses:

Each political party runs their caucus meetings a little differently. Check with your political party if you have specific questions. Generally, there are three main activities at a caucus:

1. Choose volunteers who will organize political activities in the precinct. This could include maintaining contact lists, holding political meetings, and helping with campaign efforts.

2. Discuss issues and ideas for the party to support. You can present an issue or idea for the party to support, called a resolution. If you convince other attendees to support your resolution, it will be taken to the next political convention. Eventually, your resolution could become part of the official party platform.

3. Choose delegates who will endorse candidates at future conventions. At future conventions, party delegates will endorse state and federal candidates, including for Governor. Political parties have different ways of choosing delegates at the precinct level caucus—contact your party for more information.

Find your precinct caucus here.

Minnesotans will head to the polls next week to vote in the Republican or Democratic presidential primary. Read more: Minnesota 2020 Presidential Primary: Ballot, Date, How To Vote