SAINT PAUL — Today, Secretary of State Steve Simon announced the availability of the state’s official Precinct Caucus Finder for Minnesota’s 2016 Precinct Caucuses on Tuesday, March 1. The Finder displays caucus locations provided by the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party and Republican Party of Minnesota. Minnesotans can find their caucus location here: http://caucusfinder.sos.state.mn.us/.
Precinct Caucuses mark the beginning of the 2016 election in Minnesota. They are meetings run by the state’s political parties where the candidate endorsement process begins, delegates are selected, and goals and values (called party platforms) may be set. Precinct Caucuses are entirely run by the state’s political parties, including the selection of caucus locations and meeting procedures. This year, a major part of Precinct Caucuses for Minnesotans will be to vote for the person they want their political party to support for President in the presidential preference ballot.
“Our vote is our voice, and I encourage all Minnesotans to go out and caucus on March 1st and make their voices heard,” said Secretary of State Steve Simon. “This is an important election year in Minnesota and going to a caucus is a great way for Minnesotans to show support for their preferred candidates, raise an important issue, and meet people in their community.”
In order to participate in a caucus, Minnesotans must be eligible to vote in the November general election, live in the precinct, and generally agree with the principles of the political party hosting the caucus.
Minnesotans also have the right to take time off work to be at a precinct caucus or political party convention (if you’re a delegate or alternate), but must give their employer ten days’ written notice. Minnesotans interested in caucusing with one of the state’s minor political parties should contact their party directly for dates and locations. To view minor party contact information, click here. For more information on the precinct caucus process, including frequently asked questions, click here. For information on other key 2016 election-related dates, click here.
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CONTACT: Ryan Furlong, 651-297-8919, ryan.furlong@state.mn.us