Info needed on Minnesota caucus?

[jwirr]

The Caucus is Feb. 5 but when do we vote in the primary or is it just a caucus this year? Which is more important to the selection of candidates?

[Tatiana]

1. Hope this helps:

What is a Precinct Caucus?

A precinct caucus is essentially a neighborhood meeting where DFLers gather to choose a candidate for President, to show their support for candidates at all levels, and to have a real voice in the DFL Party's 2008 platform. At more than 4,000 precinct caucuses on February 5, Minnesota DFLers will:

• Vote for their favorite Democratic candidate in the Presidential Preference Ballot
  
• Elect delegates to Senate District or County Unit Conventions
  
• Sign up to become a DFL election judges
  
• Pass resolutions to help develop the DFL Party's 2008 platform.

Who can participate at the precinct caucus?

Any Minnesotan can participate if they are: eligible to vote by November 4, 2008, not an active member of another political party (or attending another political party's caucus in 2008) and subscribe to the Constitution and Bylaws set forth by the DFL Party.

While those who will not be 18 by November 4, 2008 may also participate in general caucus business, they cannot vote in the Presidential Preference ballot or vote for delegates.

When are Precinct Caucuses?

Minnesota's DFL Precinct Caucuses will take place Tuesday, February 5, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

Registration for the caucus starts at 6:30 p.m. and you can vote on the Presidential Preference Ballot from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. At 8:00 p.m., preference ballots will be tallied and certified by the caucus. The totals will be announced and reported to the Minnesota Secretary of State for a final caucus night tally.

While you don't have stay after casting your ballot, staying means that you can take a more active role in the DFL Party by:

Becoming a district delegate

Signing up to be an Election Judge

Proposing, discussing and voting on resolutions to the Party's platform.
http://www.dfl.org/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={3FE7BDD2-0932-45A2-8B80-86BA06F6D836}

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. It's a caucus.

On Feb. 5 you can go to the caucus and cast your presidential preference votes, which determines delegates. You can also get yourself elected to the district convention, where there will be a true "walking" caucus, and try to get elected to the state convention, which is where the party will endorse Senate and House candidates, among other things. The primary election in September is where the you vote for DFL candidates (other than president) to run in November.

Hope that helps.

[RL3AO]

3. Maybe this will help.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=160x28473

[jwirr]

4. Thank all of you. That answers my question.