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Get Started (General Guide)

"All politics is personal." — Robert Heinlein

Did you ever wonder how the options on your ballot got on the ballot in the first place?

The American political party system operates in a defined sequence. The most important work begins long before November.

Action 1. Choose Your Team (January)

First, choose a political party. Read the party platforms and decide which party most closely reflects your values and positions. Coalitions and spirited unity tend to have more impact.

In general, splinter parties and fractured coalitions functionally serve the dominant power structure, even if unintentionally.

  • Foreign actors, bad faith domestic players, and extremist factions may actively encourage splintering.
  • The more people peel off into smaller parties, the weaker the opposition becomes.
  • This weakened the left in Germany in the 1930s.
  • This weakened center-left parties in Israel over 25 years.
  • This weakened Democrats in Florida, Missouri, Kansas, Wisconsin.
  • This weakened traditional Republicans in Kansas.

Action 2. Confirm Precinct Caucus or Primary Date and Time (January, even years)

This is where the critical action begins.

  • The date of your caucus or party meeting is often set by your state or party many months in advance.
  • Some states set one uniform date for all parties; others allow parties to set their own.
  • In most states, the date and time can be confirmed on your Secretary of State’s election website or through your state party.
  • Confirm the date early so you can plan ahead.

Action 3. Find Your Party Caucus Location (January, even years)

  • Once you know the date, you’ll need to locate your party-specific meeting location.
  • Location details are usually handled by your local party unit (county or precinct level).
  • This may take some research, especially in smaller or volunteer-run counties.

How to locate your caucus location:

  • Step 1. Check your state party website.
  • Step 2. Use any available caucus location lookup tools.
  • Step 3. If no tools exist, use state party websites to locate county chair contact info.
  • Step 4. Email or call directly and ask: "Where is the next precinct caucus meeting?"
  • Step 5. Start early and be persistent and polite. Local party volunteers may be slow to update public websites.

Action 4. Plan to Participate (January, even years)

  • Add the caucus date to your calendar with multiple reminders.
  • Plan to arrive 15–30 minutes early.
  • Bring ID (not always required but helpful for some party processes).
  • There is typically no mail-in option for caucus participation.

Action 5. Attend the Party Caucus meeting (~February, even years)

  • Sign in when you arrive.
  • Verify eligibility.
  • Follow the convener's instructions.
  • Be ready to volunteer for roles.

Action 6. Volunteer To Serve in a Precinct Position (~February, even years)

  • Who: Any party-supporting voter in the precinct.
  • When: During your precinct caucus.
  • How:
  • Raise your hand when officer nominations open.
  • If uncontested, you’re elected. If contested, the group votes.
  • If Elected:
  • After the caucus, find your precinct map online (this is usually decided by the county).
  • Get a list of registered party voters from your local party officers.
  • Build a local party contact list.
  • Maintain communication with your precinct.
  • Encourage turnout and help keep your party precinct members informed.
  • Join party phone calls and organizing events.
  • Stay connected.

Action 7. Volunteer To Serve as a Delegate (~February, even years)

  • Who: Any eligible voter in the precinct.
  • When: During delegate selection portion of the caucus.
  • How:
  • Raise your hand when nominations open.
  • If uncontested, you’re elected. If contested, the group votes.
  • If Elected:
  • Attend your Organizing Unit Convention (March–April).
  • Vote on endorsements, platforms, and leadership.

Action 8. Participate in your Party

As you start to understand the work that needs to be done, consider getting more active.

Attend Party Organizing Unit Convention (~March–April, Even Years)

  • Endorse local candidates.
  • Vote on party resolutions.
  • Elect leadership positions.
  • Elect higher-level delegates.

Volunteer for Director or Officer Positions

  • Who: Any party member willing to serve.
  • When: During the Organizing Unit Convention.
  • How:
  • Contact your Organizing Unit Chair in advance or be nominated at the convention.
  • If uncontested, you’re elected. If contested, delegates vote.
  • If elected:
  • Serve on the Party Central Committee.
  • Support operations (outreach, fundraising, events, communications, data, volunteer coordination).

Volunteer for Higher-Level Delegate

  • Who: Delegates and seated Alternates.
  • When: During Organizing Unit Convention.
  • How:
  • Raise your hand when nominations open.
  • If more volunteers than slots, delegates vote.
  • If elected:
  • Attend Congressional District and State Conventions (April–June).
  • Vote on higher-level endorsements and state platform matters.

Attend Higher-Level Conventions (~April-June, Even Years)

  • Attend if elected as a Higher-Level Delegate.
  • Vote on statewide endorsements, national convention delegates, and party platform.

Summary

Action When Event
Volunteer/Run for Precinct Chair/Vice Chair ~February Precinct Caucus
Volunteer/Run to be a Delegate ~February Precinct Caucus
Volunteer/Run for Director / Officer March–April Organizing Unit Convention
Volunteer/Run for Higher-Level Delegate March–April Organizing Unit Convention
Attend Higher Conventions April–June District & State Conventions

Political power is earned by showing up. Know how the system works and work the system. Participation starts by showing up.