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Get Started: Minnesota

Start by January of even-numbered years

Action 1. Choose Your Team (January, even years)

  • Minnesota allows open caucus participation. you do not need to be registered with a party, but you must choose which party to participate in.
  • Your choice determines which party's caucus you attend.
  • Contact your state or county party to get on early communication lists.

Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL)

Republican Party of Minnesota

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

Minnesota provides excellent information about precinct caucuses at https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/how-elections-work/precinct-caucuses/.

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

  • Use the Minnesota Secretary of State's Caucus Finder to locate your caucus meeting location:
  • https://caucusfinder.sos.mn.gov/
  • Enter your home address to receive exact location and start time.

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

  • Add the caucus date to your calendar with reminders.
  • Plan to arrive 15–30 minutes before start time.
  • Minnesota caucuses usually start at 7:00 PM.
  • Attendance is required. there is no mail-in participation option.
  • Bring ID (not always required, but helpful).

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

  • Sign in when you arrive.
  • Verify eligibility.
  • Listen carefully to the caucus convener's instructions.
  • Be ready to volunteer if you're interested.

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

At the caucus, volunteer to support your party's registered voters in your precinct.

  • Precinct Chair (support your precinct)
  • Precinct Vice Chair (up to 2)
  • Generally, preface is a mix of gender representation.

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

At the caucus, volunteer to serve as a delegate to the Organizing Unit Convention (the next level of aggregation).

  • Delegate to the Organizing Unit Convention - attends and gets to vote on officers and resolutions
  • Alternate - can attend as a non-voting member. Ready to fill in for the Delegate if needed.

Action 8. Participate in your Party

  • After the caucus, stay active in your party.
  • Having learned about some of the platform resolutions, you may consider working to support those you think might pass.
  • Work with others before submitting to ensure you're likely to get the widespread support for your resolution needed to get it to pass.
  • Volunteer, fund-raise, support your local candidates, and invite others.

Reminders

Election participation starts in January. February participation is critical. Enjoy your chance to participate in your party’s decision-making process.