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Senate District 41 Republican Caucus
Caucus Background
PRECINCT CAUCUSES
At 7:00 PM on February 5, 2008 Republican Party caucuses will be held for every Senate District 41 precinct.
Senate District 41 caucuses are the beginning of the process that the Republican Party uses for choosing candidates and the issues they will support for the 2008 elections. Our choices are important because the candidates we endorse and elect will affect the future of our state and country.
What’s happening at the caucuses?
The evening of the caucus, you will be asked to sign-in as either a member of the Republican Party or as a guest giving your name, address, phone number and email address (optional). As a party member you are agreeing to the principles of the Republican Party and to support Republican candidates in the upcoming elections. As a guest, you may watch, learn and ask questions, but you cannot vote for any of the officers, delegates, and alternates, or take part in the straw poll. The caucus will commence at 7:00 pm.
- Election of delegates and alternates
At the caucuses, you will have an opportunity to elect delegates who will go to party endorsement conventions held later this spring and summer, as well as 2009.
- Discussion of issues
Caucuses also provide a forum for you to voice your view on issues such as taxes, education, transportation, property rights, and others. You can submit and vote on resolutions that the party conventions may make a part of the party platform.
- Election of local party leadership
The local Republican Party elects their precinct officers at the caucuses.
Also, if you think you might be interested in running for an elected office, the caucus is a good place to seek support.
- Straw Ballot
Senate District 41 may conduct preference polls for presidential candidates.
Who can attend the caucuses?
Anyone can attend the precinct caucus to observe. You can participate and vote in the party’s caucus if you reside in the precinct, will be eligible to vote in the November election, and are not an active member of any other political party.
How do I find out where the precinct caucus will be held?
Senate District 41 caucus locations are available on this web site. (Click Here) Or call the office at 952-848-4272. About a week before the caucus, the local paper will also list the location of the precinct caucuses.
What if I work or have school that evening?
Minnesota Statues section 202AAA.19 permits you to take time off from work without pay to attend your caucus if you give your employer written notice at least 10 days in advance.
State universities, community colleges and public schools cannot hold classes or events after 6:00 p.m. on the evening of precinct caucuses.
State agencies, school boards, county boards, township boards, city councils, and all other political subdivisions cannot conduct meetings after 6:00 p.m. on caucus night.
How do I become a delegate?
Each precinct will elect a number of delegates. The MN Republican Party and Senate District 41 will set the number of delegates based on the voting results in each precinct for the party’s candidate in the previous state election. Delegates elected at precinct caucuses take part in the Senate District 41 conventions. They may also take part in the endorsing conventions for the congressional district, state, county (if held), and city (if held). If you are unable to attend, you can still be elected as a delegate. You need to contact either the precinct chair or an elected delegate to have your name placed as a delegate or alternate candidate. The evening of the caucus, the attendees will vote for acceptance of the delegate and alternate candidates slate.
Speaking the Language
First time caucus-goers can sometimes be confused by the jargon used during the meeting. Here is a quick translation of some of the most common bits of political jargon:
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