Precinct Caucuses: Getting Ready for the 2010 Elections Minnesota Council of Nonprofits and Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind & Hard of Hearing Minnesotans January and February, 2010

Why be involved?  Advocate for an issue that matters to you, your community, or your organization.  Support the candidates of YOUR choice.  Build your involvement in the political process.  Participate in Minnesota’s unique grassroots dialogue about policies and politics.

What if I am not a U.S. citizen?  In order to vote, become a delegate, or offer resolutions at your precinct caucus, you must be eligible to vote on November 2,  However, you can attend your caucus even if you are not a U.S. citizen to:  Observe and learn about participatory democracy.  Meet your neighbors or friends to discuss issues that you would like to see addressed.

Citizenship and Precinct Caucuses  Becoming a U.S. citizen can be a long and difficult process…  …but there is a reward  You can shape politicians’ positions on issues that matter to you and your community or…  You can run for elected office yourself!  Direct participation in the precinct caucus process, endorsing candidates, and of course…  The Vote

Overview of the Caucus Process 1)Precinct Caucuses Feb 2nd 2)Senate District/ County Convention March - April 4) State Conventions June 3) Congressional District Caucuses April - May

Who can participate? You can participate if you:  Reside in the district.  Will be eligible to vote on Nov. 2,  Are in general agreement with the party’s principles.

What happens at a caucus? There are 3 main caucus activities: 1.Elect a precinct chair and precinct officers. 2.Elect delegates and alternates to the senate district/county convention- these delegates will decide who is endorsed by your political party for your state senator, representative, state auditor, secretary of state and governor. 3.Debate and select resolutions on statewide policy issues. * In presidential election years, caucuses hold presidential preference ballots

A Quick Primer on Robert’s Rules  Making a motion: “I move that…”  Seconding the motion: “I second the motion…”  Calling the question: “I move to call the question”  Point of information: “Point of information…”  Point of parliamentary inquiry: “Point of parliamentary inquiry…”

Don’t Be Intimidated  There will be people at your caucus who will know more about the rules and process than you do…- don’t be afraid to ask for an explanation when you don’t understand.  …and don’t be afraid to assert yourself and your issues.  Don’t forget:  This process is about grassroots participation.  This is YOUR opportunity to support the issues YOU care about.  Your input is valuable to your party!

What exactly do I do there?  Show up  Sign in  Meet people  Nominate neighbors for party office  Run for party office (e.g. precinct chair)

…and there is more to do…  Nominate yourself or others to serve as delegates to the senate district/county convention.  Vote for a delegate who represents issues or candidates that you support.  Present a resolution on an issue that you care about.  If your precinct has subcaucuses, convene a subcaucus for a candidate and/or issue.  Convince as many people as possible to support you and form a viable caucus – one that can elect 1 or more delegates to the next level of dialogue.

What is a Walking Subcaucus (Democratic party only) ?  A group gathered around an issue or candidate for the purpose of electing someone to the next level of party conventions.  Often formed by a coalition of underrepresented groups that may not be able to elect a delegate on their own, but can as a collective.  The more members your subcaucus can attract, the more delegates your subcaucus can elect.  Subcaucuses are unlikely to occur at the precinct level, but are sure to occur at the senate district/county conventions and congressional district conventions.  Now let’s see it in action…

What is a resolution?  Party platforms are made up of party positions on a wide range of issues.  Resolutions are position statements that can be adopted at the precinct level and advanced to become party positions.  Resolutions need to be presented in writing.

What does a resolution look like?  State the problem or opportunity.  Provide a rationale for a position.  Present the position as a policy statement.

Can we see a sample? The Commission of Deaf, DeafBlind and Hard of Hearing Minnesotans 2010 Caucus Resolution Resolution to Require Captioning of Television and On-line Video Ads for Minnesota Candidates and Party Sponsored Ads: WHEREAS an estimated nine percent of the population in the state of Minnesota is deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind, WHEREAS many people who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind rely upon captioning to understand the messages that are given by candidates running for office, WHEREAS only one percent of all media on the web is captioned, WHEREAS requiring captioning for television and on-line ads allows all Minnesotans to participate fully in the election process BE IT RESOLVED THAT the parties require the captioning of television and online video ads for Minnesota candidates and party sponsored ads.

MCDHH Resolution  Resolution to Require Captioning of Television and On-line Video Ads for Minnesota Candidates and Party Sponsored Ads:  WHEREAS an estimated nine percent of the population in the state of Minnesota is deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind,  WHEREAS many people who are deaf, hard of hearing or deafblind rely upon captioning to understand the messages that are given by candidates running for office,  WHEREAS only one percent of all media on the web is captioned,  WHEREAS requiring captioning for television and on-line ads allows all Minnesotans to participate fully in the election process  BE IT RESOLVED THAT the parties require the captioning of television and online video ads for Minnesota candidates and party sponsored ads.

What if they debate this resolution  Response: It is currently the law. We are just asking candidates to comply with it. Some of the candidates are complying, others are not.  It is not expensive. There is do-it-yourself captioning software and there are some caption providers who charge as little as $3 per minute.

Resolution Exercise  Take a few minutes to draft your own resolution on an issue that matters to you.  Address an issue of importance to you at the local or state level.  Avoid too many “whereas” clauses.  Be concise!

How do I present my resolution?  There is time for resolutions on the agenda.  Present your proposal and the reasons for it. Be persuasive! (It helps to lobby early and have copies).  If there is disagreement, the caucus chair will facilitate debate (often 3 statements for and 3 against).  Vote!

What’s next?  If you are elected to be a delegate to the senate district/county convention, plan to attend and participate fully.  Lead a subcaucus while there.  Nominate yourself to be a delegate to the congressional district convention and the state convention.  Promote your resolution and others that you support.

How can I encourage others to participate?  Send information about local caucuses to friends, neighbors, and relatives  Give them a reason to come: tap into the issues that matter to your community  For example- some people feel strongly about not having tax payers pay for a new stadium. If you feel strongly about that- show up! Write a resolution. Ask candidates if they support a publicly financed stadium.

Have fun!  And be proud that you have been part of the initial steps of a process that is essential to shaping the future of your community and the state of Minnesota.

How do I find my precinct?  Call your party  Go to the Secretary of State’s website:   Or call the Secretary of State’s office:  or (Answered 8:00 – 4:30, Monday – Friday, excluding holidays)

How do I find my precinct caucus?  Republican Party (Metro) (GM)  Feb 2, 2010, 7:00 p.m.  Democratic-Farmer- Labor Party (Metro) (GM)  Feb 2, 2010, 7:00 p.m.  Independence Party  Feb 2, 2010, 7:00 p.m.  Green Party  Feb 2, 2010, 6:30 p.m.

How do I request interpreters?  MN state law requires that political parties pay for interpreters or CART, but requests must be made in writing. To request an interpreter or CART, contact:  Democratic Party  Jan Rein: or Fax:  Republican Party  Barbara Linert: or Fax:  Independence Party  Secretary: or Fax:  Green Party  Contact:

One last thought…  Precinct caucuses are only one of many ways to affect the political process  Other options during 2010 elections season:  Party Meet-Ups  Candidate Campaigns  Issue Campaigns  Nonpartisan Voter Engagement